So soon after seeing the marvels that the Lord worked in the land of Egypt and in the crossing of the Red Sea, everyone begins to complain because they are hungry. It is fine to pray when we are hungry, but one does wonder why such doubts about the Lord’s care and even regrets about leaving the land of slavery in Egypt would arise after seeing all that God had done for them so far. The Lord knew their hunger, and in fact meets this need in a marvelous way too in the evening quail and the morning manna.
When children (and sometimes we adults as well) are hungry, when it is time to eat they can just dive into the food: no thank you to God and the cook, no word to those around them; just sole focus on eating. As we mature, however, we are called to be more in touch with our need for connection to the Lord, to those who have prepared this meal, to those with whom we share it. Conversing with them is just as important for the nourishment of our hearts as the eating of the food is for the nourishment of our bodies.
As we meditate on the gift of the manna in the desert, and on the parable of the sower, let us ask the Lord to help us to receive His gifts well (especially His Word and the people whom He puts in our lives). Let us let the goodness of these gifts settle into our hearts. Let us give God thanks for caring so much for our body and soul. Let us start by thanking Him for at least three gifts that we have received this very day.