THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday in the fifth week of Lent, 2021

 Numb 21:4-9

Ps102

John 8:21-30

When you have lifted up…

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, (Numbers 21:4-9), the people who were on their journey to the promised land lost patience. They spoke against God and against 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—they wanted to return to Egypt. We often find people who complain about everything—their spouses, their jobs, their children, their school, the organisations they belong to, and just everything. What they have is never good enough. They compare themselves with others, and ask why they are in their situation. There are those who are not ready to work, yet they complain about what has been provided through the hard labour of others. The desire to return to Egypt is a rejection of God’s offer of freedom, a rejection of God. God 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—a foreshadow of the Cross. In looking up, they lifted 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 recent times—is it worth it? You may spend the whole day complaining about something but does that change the situation?

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 obviously 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 come to the realisation that He is the Messiah, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am He…” For us who have come to recognise 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—Look to the Cross of Jesus for comfort. If God did not spare his Son for your sake, you’re not alone.

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

+Remain blessed