It is 31st March 2020. The readings are from Numbers 21:4-9; and the Gospel from John 8:21-30. As we come to the end of this month, it is good to reflect about the tsunamic events unfolded all around the world so unprecedently. Safeguarding and social distancing are the way of life every nook and corner. As we begin to feel the celebration of new chapters and rapport of positive, enhancing, enriching moments with its flames of pain, sparks, even spikes and insights of living in our families, communities and countries in facing each other, we need to make every attempt to experience God as intimately as possible and to be humane in all we do. There is a high possibility to forget God, angry on God or complain about God and enter into a tantrum of depression and self-pity. The first reading points out how people of Israel instead of taking the moments of pain as a learning curve, they engaged in cursing and condemning God. God punished them. “Everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.” (Num.21:9) The responsorial Psalm pleads God, “O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.” (102:1). The Gospel encourages to lift Jesus in our life when we are faced with challenges we cannot solve humanly. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.” Lent is indeed time to be grateful that we have Jesus on our side. Jesus is willing to go through anything for us as His mission was to bring us closer to God. May we come closer to God at this moment we never thought we would be in. Let us deal with all our ungrateful, unforgiving, hyper-criticizing attitudes and come closer to God in love and thankfulness. May you have a good day. God bless you.