"O that today you would listen to His voice! 'Harden not your hearts."'

(Psalm (95:8) is the invitatory antiphon recited in Lauds daily. It relates to the significance of Numbers 20:1-13. St Paul and St Augustine had expounded on the rock that yielded water for Israel at Horeb (Ex. 17:6). St Paul refers to this rock which "followed" Israel on its Exodus journey (1 Cor. 10:4), and this rock is Christ whose lifeblood is poured out in the Eucharist.

"Striking the rock" has much significance. Against God's specific instructions to Moses to speak to the rock (v. 8), Moses, frustrated and angry at the thankless rebels of Israel, and not allowing God to take charge of the situation, instead struck the rock twice. St Augustine allegorically alluded to the rock as Christ, who would be struck on the two beams of the Cross. Yet, it gives a new perspective to freedom from sin through forgiveness. If people pay attention to listen and repent.

Jesus accorded Peter a special role among the disciples. Peter, the rock, was to build the Church, he had the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven; and "authority to bind on earth and in heaven". These are loaded phrases that point to the restoration of God's Covenantal reign through the cooperation of Peter and the Apostles. Together with St Peter, St Paul and St Augustine, our continuing prayer is: