It is 4th April 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St. Isidore, the Bishop and the Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Numbers 21:4-9; and the Gospel from John 8:21-30. Lifting up God in our lives brings the desired healing to our beings. People of Israel lifted their eyes to God and so they were saved. God saves us all through mysterious ways. When we lift God and the second Person of Trinity, Jesus high in our lives, our lives are protected and pulled towards the saving Cross. How often we look up to the cross of Jesus? How many of our homes, work places, meeting halls, schools and healing institutions have the Crucifix of Jesus placed in an honorable place? Many of us look up somewhere in pain, sickness and in the times of horrific spiritual disasters. Some others are indeed ashamed to even have a glance of the Cross of Jesus because of our status and our life style. When the Son of Man is lifted up, Jesus will draw all people to Himself (Jn 12:32) so that they may realize that He is God (Jn 8:28), believe that He is Healer and Redeemer, and receive eternal life (Jn 3:14-15). Lifting up Jesus releases a life-changing, parish-changing, and world-changing sequence of events. Therefore, we must devote ourselves to ensuring that Jesus is constantly being lifted up in our personal lives. The responsorial Psalm pleads, “O Lord listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you.” (Ps.101:2). The Gospel suggests that we must look up to Jesus for our personal salvation. Our school of learning is the Most Holy Cross of Jesus. We need to lift up Jesus by participating in the regular Holy Eucharist, meditative reading of the Word of God and a personal sharing of our faith in Jesus with the others. Let us begin our contemplation on the cross of Jesus from now. May the Lord truly bless you and protect you. May you have a good day.