Lenten Moments of Mercy: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent   Let us always remember to accept the gifts of God.   Scripture “The people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.’” Numbers 21:5   Reflection For many, conversion to an adult Christian life follows participation in a charismatic event, after which they leave with enthusiasm. They are confident that their life is turned around and there is a smooth path ahead on their journey with Christ. They approach the Christian disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with joy and anticipation as gifts received by God. This was also the experience of the Israelites as we see described in the Book of Exodus: they left Egypt with joy and thanksgiving, carrying off treasures from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35‒36). In the days of hunger in the desert they received the gifts of manna and quail. In the Book of Numbers, we see the Israelites have become disillusioned and disgruntled. They despise the gifts of God. Then when they began suffering from the bites of poisonous snakes, they came to their senses and returned to God. Moses raised up a bronze serpent, which becomes a sign of God’s continuing healing presence. For Christians coming off charismatic events there is a similar letdown. Their friends may not accept their transformation, criticize their enthusiasm, and question their motives. Sinful tendencies they thought had been left behind keep intruding. Then the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can become boring and sterile, which leads to further disillusionment. Pope Francis tells us that what is at issue is a lack of gratitude for the gifts God continues to give us. “Not accepting the gift of God in his way, that is the sin; that is the venom; that poisons the soul, it takes away your joy, it doesn’t let you go” (Morning Meditation, 24 March 2015). To lead us further on our journey, Jesus gives us the reality of the Cross: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me” (John 8:28). The Way of the Cross is not a way for the few, but the only sure way to live in relationship with Jesus and others. Pope Francis “Our wounds, those which sin leaves in us, are healed only through the Lord’s wounds, through the wounds of God made man who humbled himself, who emptied himself. This is the mystery of the Cross.” Morning Meditation, 8 April 2014   Lenten Action ► Pray the Stations of the Cross. ► Read today’s Living Lent Daily article.   Prayer Lord, do not hide your face from us in our days of distress but hear our prayer and answer us.

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