TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
Forget not the goodness of the Lord!
The Word: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in Wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” (Numbers 21: 5)
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Table of the Word: I R.: Numbers 21:4-9
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 102
Verse before the Gospel: cf. Luke 8:11
Gospel: John 8:21:30
Inspiration: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in Wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food?” (Numbers 21: 5) These were lamentations of Israelites at Mount Hor as they set out by the way of the Red Sea. Their impatience beclouded their vision, blinded their minds against what God did for them, and His plans ahead. They spoke against God and Moses and thus inviting God’s anger. (cf. Numbers 21:4-9).
Amidst this, God did not abandon them rather, after listening to their plea He commanded Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. This text however makes allusion to the passion, death, resurrection and salvific power of Christ; which implies that as many who will repent of their transgression will be saved through the crucified Lord.
Consequently, the acknowledgement of their faults created way for their salvation. This is a sure reminder to each and every one of us to be conscious of our sins, acknowledged, confess and then make sincere effort not to sin again. That is why St. Paul while addressing the Roman Church says: “God has shown us how much he loves us – it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). The incomparable love of God is unconditional, it spread across every boundary of human existence, and it comes with hope beyond human telling.
As the Psalmist proclaimed: “O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear towards me; on the day when I call, speedily answer me. ” (Ps. 102:1-2). We ought to seek for Him with broken heart as Israelites did. We need to rend our hearts before Him, recalling His goodness upon us. In our private moment, we have to allow this question to rent our minds: “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?” (Ps. 115).
Obviously, in doing this our thoughts will be gearing towards reciprocating this kind gesture of His with effort to discipline our mortal bodies so as not to defile it being the Temple of the Lord.
Finally, let our thoughts, words and actions aligned with detects and ordinances of the Lord, so that when we call on Him He will hear us. Peace be with you!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.”
- A.W. Tozer
Let us pray
O God, who choose to show mercy not anger to those who hope in you, grant that we may weep, as we should, for the evil we have done, and so merit the grace of your consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 19032024
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