Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102: 1 -2.15,
John 8:21-30 Full Readings
O Lord listen to our prayers and let our cry for help reach you
Brethren, it it's quite obvious that the situation we are in is like the situation which the Israelites faced in desert when they spoke and sinned against God and he in turn sent them serpents to bite them. It's only when they recognized their sins, repented and returned to God that the Lord saved them by commanding Moses to make a bronze serpent that whoever was bitten by a snake and looked at it was cured. Could this be the situation with us or not, the only thing is to return to God in prayer and with contrite heart so that he may hear our prayer and give us help.
The first Reading presents to us the consequences and also the remedy of Sin. To the Israelites, sin was due to lack of trust in God who saved them from slavery and brought them out to freedom.
However, they would not even conquer the temptation of food and lost patience in God. They spoke against him and thus sinned against him. The Lord sent fiery serpents to bite them because of what they have done.
Sometimes in our lives we forget easily what the Lord has done to us since our conception and only experience is enough for us to denounce him. We are always looking for miracles while not knowing that even the fact that we are still living is the greatest miracle, and that's why you see people moving from pastor so and so to the so and so and when all fails he ends up underworld. My brethren, when we are doing this we are losing trust in God, God who loves us so much and always will for us to be happy. The only thing we need is patience with him and above all trust, for God's time is not our time and neither his ways our ways. In these difficult times, let us not lose hope in God, God will surely restore peace for us if we return to him with a contrite heart.
The remedy of sin according to first Reading is God himself, it's only God who forgives sins and who is able to again save us from all the consequences of sin. However, this needs our initiative, that is, firstly recognising that we have sinned, secondly feeling remorse, thirdly promising not to do it again, fourthly asking for forgiveness, and lastly doing our penance. In this way God will see our efforts to eliminate sin in us and he will surely forgive us. As Moses interceded for Israelites, let each one of us today be an intercessor for his fellow, family, workmates and the whole world that the Lord will again show us his Mercy. Let us heed to his teachings through our religious leaders and go for confession always. For God loves us and is always waiting for us to come back.
God loved us so much that he sent his only son that whoever believes in him will not die but have life everlasting (John 3:26) and as he raised the bronze serpent in the desert for Israelites that whoever looks at it will live, so shall the sin of man be raised to the cross that whoever believes in him will have life everlasting. This can be clearly depicted in the Gospel reading today.
Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, and for those who refused to believe in him would in their sins as he told the Pharisees. Jesus is predicting his death as he says this to Pharisees. The time for Jesus is near when he will be crucified on the cross for us but unfortunately they could not understand what he was talking about. However, they will understand when they have lifted up the Son of Man and they will know it's He. Brethren, what aspects can we Reflect on in today's Gospel.
Firstly is that we are not alone. Jesus also declares that one who sent me has not left me alone for I always please him. Jesus had a mission to accomplish in the world, given to him by his father, and surely God remained with him until the end. Brethren we too have a mission, we must come to realize that the Father has sent us. We each have a mission in life. Do you realize that? Do you realize that you have a very specific mission and calling from God? Yes, it may entail very ordinary parts of life such as chores around the house, the daily grind of work, the building up of your family relationships, etc. Our daily lives are filled with ordinary activities that make up the will of God.
The comforting news is that God does not just send us, He also remains with us. He has not left us alone to fulfill the mission He has entrusted to us. He has promised His continued help in a very central way.
Secondly is *the power of the Cross* The lifting up of the bronze serpent on a wooden pole points to Jesus Christ being lifted up on the wooden cross at Calvary where he took our sins upon himself to make atonement to the Father on our behalf. The cross of Christ broke the curse of sin and death and won pardon, healing, and everlasting life for all who believe in Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world. That's why we venerate the cross as a sign of our salvation. Go under the cross and pray that God will hear your prayer.
Thirdly, is that we have to put all our efforts to understand why and what Jesus taught and did and what he is still teaching and doing for us in our lives. If we don't come to this knowledge, we are on our way to sin, to lose patience with him like the Israelites. We have a duty to know that all the gifts we have small of big are from God, and therefore thank him always. Let us try to recognise him in each and every experiences of life and have hope that he will not abandon us in all circumstances if we believe in him.
Let us pray that in challenging moments of our lives we may not lose hope in God but have hope that he will be with us always. Amen.
Blessed Lenten period
amen
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