Once again, we encounter a rebellion against Moses. But we must see Israel’s repeated lack of trust in Moses for what it really was: lack of trust in God. This was their root problem. This was what had to be addressed over and over. Rebelling against Moses was merely the symptom. Rebelling against God was the disease needing a cure.

Moses’ task was not an easy one. It is difficult to lead in even the best of circumstances, when the leader is focused on God as are the people he or she leads. But it’s even more difficult when a leader is tasked with guiding a sinful people, especially when they constantly rebel against his or her authority.

While most of us may never oversee a massive group of hard-hearted people through the wilderness, we are all called to take the message of the Gospel to a world that wants nothing to do with it. Our job is simple: Live the Gospel; preach the Gospel. But because the Gospel is offensive, people will despise us. Like Moses, we must remember it is not really us whom they despise and reject, it is Christ. And so, like Moses again but even more so like Christ, we must show compassion to the people we have been called to love and serve as we pray that through our kindness and perseverance, they might be reached with the Gospel we proclaim.

• How does praying for people change the way you see them?