The squirrel that you see below looks for all the world as if it were wielding a camera … but not so! It was merely enjoying the extra ‘treats’ coming from the freshly cut grass …!

The Old Testament reading today is from the Book of Numbers, and here are a few verses: ‘Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving; and the people of Israel also wept again, and said, “O that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”’

It is part of a longer section dealing with grumbling, which nearly broke Moses. St Benedict in the Holy Rule deals very strongly with this corrosive habit, which can destroy a community. May we ourselves always keep free from this vice, and may God keep us all in purity of heart, for Himself. May God bless you this day.