This year like many others I started the bible in a year program from Ascension Press with Father Mike Schmitz. (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/) To be honest I started and stopped a few times, until I fully committed, so I am still going through it.  I cannot say enough great things about it and would recommend it to anyone.

As we journeyed with Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, I noticed a recurring theme.  The Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. They journeyed through the desert because God wanted to change their slave mentality and help them to see Yahweh-yireh; God provider.

Every day they would see a pillar of fire lead the way. They would see a great cloud in the tent of meeting on the days they were to stay put.  Can you imagine seeing palpable proof that God was truly present and leading you? I noticed a recurring theme as they wandered through the desert.  Every time things became difficult, they would grumble, and the grumbling would sound like this- why did God bring us out here? – we rather be in Egypt where we were slaves.  They complained about everything- especially the manna, literal bread from heaven provided daily. Yes, I am sure that anyone would tire of the same thing every day- but did you ever stop and wonder Why would a God who could command manna to fall from heaven and is the creator of everything- why would God only send manna?

Before I can tackle that question let me tell you a little about my struggle.  When I was wandering lost in the world of sin God saved me and led me to His heart.  Here every day I would go to Mass and commune with Him. I would meet His mother daily in the rosary, I spent time with Jesus in prayer, I surrounded myself with His saints and learned as much as I could from them.  This was a process, not overnight but what I learned was that every time life happened, I had two choices- I could seek God or I could yearn to escape to my Egypt.  For each of us Egypt – the land of our slavery is different.  Alcohol? Drugs? Stress eating? Gossiping? Gambling? What is your Egypt? What did God deliver you from- that when the going gets tough we longingly look back there and wish to escape to? Many times, I chose wrong, but the Good Shepherd lovingly sought out His lost lamb and brought her back home.  After a while though, I started to appreciate my manna moments- Mass, the rosary, my quiet times with Jesus.  These moments were the ones that I could rely on and the ones that made me strong.  Eventually Egypt just didn’t satisfy, even thoughts of Egypt lost their appeal, and when the going got tough the tough sought manna!

The reason we can take manna for granted is that it can become part of our daily lives- but that is the purpose of manna. To become such a part of us that we know- rain or shine, it is there and that if we can rely on this grace from God- how much more can we rely on God Himself? Many times, the extraordinary is hidden in the ordinary. Manna is where we learn to walk with God, to rely on Him, to turn to Him and to trust in Him.

So, what is your manna?

As we start our Lenten journey in the desert- what are we walking away from? Who are we walking towards? May God provide not only manna but also show us the way.  May we realize that He walks with us always and may we become attentive to Him and where He is leading us. And may we come to thank God for the manna!