March 24, 26 – Tuesday, Fifth Week of Lent: Are We Different?

Daily Divine Word:

March 24, 26 – Tuesday, Fifth Week of Lent: Are We Different?

Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30

Are we different? : The first reading narrates an event which mirrors many dimensions of our lives today. The people of Israel are in the desert, journeying towards the promised land. This journey lasts for 40 years and now they almost nearing the promised land. They have been delivered from slavery in Egypt. They have been led through the Red Sea and brought to Mount Sinai by Moses. God made a covenant with them and gave ten commandments. He provides food, water, safety and journeys with the in the wilderness. But the people are unhappy, they grumble and complain. They are struck with food and water, losing sight of God’s amazing deeds until yesterday and His promises regarding a prosperous future. The Israelites have been complaining throughout their journey in the desert. If I am to examine past few years of my life, how many complaints and moments of dissatisfaction I raised? How many times would l have failed to remember God’s amazing deeds in my life? How many times would I have relied on myself instead of God’s promise of a hope filled future? Are we any different from the people of Israel in the wilderness.

Detour leads to promised land: The people of Israel had to journey for 40 years in the wilderness to reach the promised land. The Edomites did not allow the Israelites to travel through their country and so, they had to travel many miles, most of them barren, hot desert. They had to go around Edom, and it was a detour. They had to detour, but the goal was in sight. The detour took them to the promised land and God accompanied them closely in their detour. This detouring was filled with blessings and intimate experiences of God. We may have to detour sometimes, at times its hard, could be long journey, sleepless nights, but the diversion leads to the promised land: abundance of blessings.

God disciplines: The people grow impatient and speak angrily against God to Moses, ‘Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread. There is no water. And we detest this food? Its shocking, they detest manna and call it miserable. Its heartbreaking to see these complaints. God unleashes fiery serpents, not to annihilate them but to discipline them. He does this to refine and make them completely people of God. This is a moment of spiritual renewal and discipline. God’s blessings at times comes through hard disciplines.

Our Takeaway

1. The Israelites complained and grumbled. If I am to examine past few years of my life, how many complaints and moments of dissatisfaction I raised? How many times would l have failed to remember God’s amazing deeds in my life? Are we any different from the people of Israel?
2. The Israelites had to detour around Edom. We may have to detour sometimes, at times its hard, could be long journey, sleepless nights, but the diversion leads to the promised land: abundance of blessings.
3. God unleashes fiery serpents, not to annihilate them but to discipline them. He does this to refine and make them completely people of God. This is a moment of spiritual renewal and discipline. God’s blessings at times comes through hard disciplines.

Wilson SVD