THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of Fifth Week of Lent, 2022

Numb 21:4-9

Ps 102

John 8:21-30

Have You Complained

Dear friends in Christ, in the moment of great trial and tribulation, it might seem the devil has won, but even the devil’s victory is just a lesson, to get ready for another round of the battle, to get better prepared to take hold of the real victory, which belongs to the children of God. The moment of trial is an opportunity to show true faith in God, it is the test of our faith.

In the first reading of today the people who were on their journey to the promised land lost patience. They spoke against God and Moses. They complained bitterly about everything, they wished they had remained in Egypt, yet Egypt was their land of slavery. On a journey undertaken by thousands of people, they wanted the same comfort they had in Egypt. Looking at migrants daily, on our television screens, has shown how much many people, are willing to endure, to make it to their desired destination. Moses had expected such, from the people of his time, but what he got was the opposite. We often find people who complain about everything—their spouses, their jobs, their children, their school, the organizations they belong to, and just everything. What they have is never good enough; they are always looking out for what belongs to others. They compare themselves with others and ask why they are in their situation. Some are not ready to work, yet they complain about what has been provided, through the hard labor of others. God became angry with the people and sent fiery serpents to teach them a lesson. Those who had preferred death to their present situation were now afraid to die. Again, at the plea of Moses God sent a remedy. A bronze serpent on a standard helped them, lift their hearts to God, and those who did were spared. How often do you complain? Just reflect on why you have had to complain in the last week—is it worth it?

In today’s Gospel, (John 8:21-30) Jesus tells the Pharisees, “You are from below, I am from above, you are of this world, I am not of this world.” There is a big difference between us and God. To close that gap, Jesus took our humanity unto himself to raise us to the dignity of the sons and daughters of God. It took the lifting up on the cross for many to realize that He is the Messiah, “When you have lifted the Son of man, then you will know that I am He…” for us who have come to realize that He is the one, we must also conform our lives to his. Stop the grumbling, let God be God. Love the cross, the tree of life.

Let us pray: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you, because, by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. Amen. 

+Remain blessed