Rejecting a leader because of his wife

How can this man be worthy of leading the people? Look at the woman he married! We need someone different!

So begins today’s first reading (Numbers 12:1-13) as rivals denounce Moses on account of his marriage.

The subject of Moses’ wife, of course, was just a pretext: what they were really concerned about was getting more authority for themselves – no matter who got hurt in the process.

In this case, Moses is vindicated by God himself and the accusers are dramatically punished.

It is a very human thing to let our judgment become clouded by our likes and dislikes as well as by personal agendas.

Today’s first reading reminds us to keep our judgment focused on what is right, not on what is personal preference, and to keep our prayer focused not on what we want God to do for us, but what God wants, period.