A Hard Lesson

Do you ever find that a certain message “pops up” repeatedly in your life at times, a few times in a week (perhaps in the scriptures and in the course of a conversation or reading)?  It makes you wonder, “Am I supposed to be learning something here?”  This has happened again to me this past week.  I guess, if we don’t catch on right away, more than one attempt may be needed. :)

Some of the readings this week at Mass have been especially beautiful.  Yet, they also were part of this nudge I’ve been getting lately, a nudge in a not-so-comfortable direction for me. 

As we all know, this has been a hard year.  The last month and a half have been especially difficult here.  The stress and frustration have been really weighing on me (and others, I’m sure). 

This past weekend and/or early in the week, I found myself praying more earnestly for a swift end to this pandemic and all the craziness surrounding it. 

While I’m not saying this was bad, I feel that, in recent days, I’ve been called more to trust, day by day, rather than longing so much for a change. 

Tuesday’s gospel of the feeding of the multitude, which I heard in close proximity to someone’s comment on the manna in the desert of old, was a significant part of this recent “nudge.”

These days, so much is beyond our control.  There are things that don’t seem fair, right, or even rational.  It is frustrating.  There is also a lot of uncertainty. 

Rather than focus on this, however, or dream about a better tomorrow (it can’t come soon enough!), I’m being reminded that Jesus provides the sustenance I need for TODAY. 
He is our Daily Bread. 

Just as the ancient Israelites could not stockpile manna for the coming days, and had to trust God to provide it anew each morning, I need to realize that it is not mine to know the future; He will provide what I need for each day. 

He will give me needed grace and strength, especially in His greatest gift of Himself with the Holy Eucharist.

Yesterday afternoon, when briefly discussing a new challenge we’ll be facing, one of my Sisters used the phrase, “one day at a time.”  I almost cringed. 

This is a hard lesson for me to learn, but it’s a good one.  I wish I were a better student.

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