It is 23rd March 2021.
The readings are from Numbers 21:4-9; and the Gospel from John 8:21-30.
There is no need to die in sin as long we have the eyes of faith in Jesus. Who has not sinned in life? Due to so many reasons we all sin and become sick. Impatience with God exposes us into sinful situations. Lifting up of a bronze serpent by Moses symbolizes the lifting up of Jesus on the Cross. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” (Jn.12:32).
People of Israel forgot the Lord when they got victory over the neighbours. Whenever we forget God, we are trapped into the circle of sin. Just like people of Israel, we too grumble and talk ill of God at time forgetting all that God has done to us and more than ready to return to our habitual slavery of sins. Grateful people grow in the virtue of patience.
Are we too become impatient during the pandemic forgetting all that God has done to us? Yes, there is so much of uncertainty and fear all around us as health and well-being we enjoy by God’s grace. Getting used and bored with the goodness and generosity of God is the beginning of impatient attitude. People of Israel requested Moses to pray for their forgetfulness, ingratitude and complaining attitudes. Later, bronze serpent worship led the people away from God that was destroyed by the king Hezekiah. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that those who believe in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting” (John 3:14ff).
The responsorial Psalm intercedes, “O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.” (Ps.102:1).
In the Gospel, Jesus explains the relationship between the Father and Him. In Johannine Gospel, lifting up of the Son means to know and be healed and united with the Father. For John, the Cross is the moment of glory and the culmination of the mission on earth. Many came to believe in Jesus for all that He spoke but for a few it was mere riddle and ridicule. When we are prejudiced, we do not want to listen.
Let us not become impatient with the Lord rather let us be grateful for all that we are enjoying in our life. May you have a lovely day. God bless you.