It is 24th March 2015. The readings are from Num.21:4-9 and the Gospel from Jn. 8:21-30. The first reading depicts the impatience, the unbelief and complaining of the Israelites and therefore God punished them. In Ps.78, we read about the sources of complaints Israelites made against God such as not being faithful to God, forgetting God, and refusing to obey God’s law. God used poisonous snakes to punish His people. It was not the bronze snake brought them healing, but their belief in God. People began to worship the snake in the temple (2 Kings 18:4) until King Hezekiah destroyed it. We too duly punished in our lives due to our ingratitude and complaining attitude against God. Unless we look up to God, there is no way we can be healed from the impact of our sins. The responsorial Psalm prays, “O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you.” (Ps.101:2). The Gospel foretells the Death of Jesus. When we reject Jesus, we surrender to sin and die. In our sinful situations, where are we looking for help? We need to focus our view on the Cross of Jesus and His supreme Sacrifice for our salvation not only during this Lenten time and all through our lives. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he,..: (Jn.8:28). Jesus is our salvation and He is the only way that leads us to the Father and He is the Truth that set us free our lives of lies. May God bless you and have good day.