Lift Up the Son

March 11, 2008

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, “Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover.” Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered. Numbers 21:7-9

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” John 8:28-29

Piety

Lord, help me to say and do the right thing, for the right person, at the right time, so that I may be a reflection of you in this world. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me.

-- Tom Silva, St. Mary of Sorrows, Cursillo Area Director.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031108.shtml

But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” Numbers 21:4-5

Can we confront our fears with faith? Can we surrender our needs to God?

There is no humanly possible way I can imagine surviving in captivity as a slave for forty years and then upon getting my freedom, then have the strength to march across the desert. Bad shoes. Little water. No food. No chocolate. No I-Pod. And No NCAA Tournament! It is no wonder that they started to revolt against Moses.

No only were they deprived of what made them comfortable in life, but they never know what danger the next step would bring them. Perhaps a scorpion would sting them. Perhaps the sunburn would scorch them. Or perhaps they would be face-to-face with a snake.

In the comfort of our suburban Comcastic living, we are nestled in our safe-way far from the natural dangers of the giant world. Yet we never know when random violence might lurk around the corner or accidental dangers may be thrust into our path. Snakes on the Plane may just be a parody for Hollywood excess. Yet, today, we may not worry so much about airborne serpents as we do about losing a job, or health care insurance, or losing a friend, child, parent or spouse.

How will such loss affect our faith? Will it strengthen our faith or shake it to the core?

Action

Who can you help lift up today? Maybe you can visit someone who is sick or alone or send them a card or gift to say that they are on your mind. You also could consider calling a friend or relative who has not heard from you in a long time.