Dear brothers and sisters, May the Lord give you his peace. As we gather on this fifth Tuesday of Lent, we find ourselves delving into the poignant readings from Numbers, the Psalms, and the Gospel of John, which guide us toward a deeper understanding of our faith in Christ, who was, is and remains the great “I AM” who revealed himself of old to our ancestors and then to his chosen people and apostles two thousand years ago.
In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, we witness the Israelites’ discontent as they journey through the wilderness. Their complaints arise from weariness, hunger, and the challenges of their pilgrimage. “We are disgusted with this wretched food,” they voice their grievances against God and Moses, revealing an all too familiar struggle with faith in times of trial. Yet, in this act of rebellion, God responds not only with punishment—sending seraph serpents among them—but also with profound mercy. He instructs Moses to create a bronze serpent that will serve as a sign of healing. When the bitten look upon this symbol, they are restored to life.
This narrative resonates deeply with our Lenten experience. Like the Israelites, we too may find ourselves burdened by life’s trials, tempted to despair or to voice our frustrations against God. But just as God provided a pathway to healing for the Israelites through the bronze serpent, He also offers us hope and salvation in our afflictions.
The serpents, though initially a punishment, become an impetus for redirecting our gaze toward Him. Lent is a time to gaze upon Christ in prayer and reflection, a reminder that salvation requires looking beyond our immediate struggles to see the bigger picture of God’s love for us.
Through the Responsorial Psalm, we cry out to the Lord, “Hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.” This response encapsulates our need for divine intervention during our distress. David’s heartfelt plea illustrates our dependence on God, especially in our more difficult moments. We are assured that God does not despise the prayers of the destitute; rather, He hears our groaning and responds with compassion. In our Lenten journey, let us not shy away from expressing our vulnerabilities; instead, let us confidently bring our cries before the Lord, knowing He delights in our honest prayers.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about His identity and divine origin. His words, “You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above,” urge us to reflect on where we focus our lives. In this world filled with distractions and temptations, Jesus calls us to elevate our thoughts and desires to think first of the Kingdom of God. He ties His imminent crucifixion, “When you lift up the Son of Man,” to the revelation of the serpents in the desert. Here, we see a crucial connection: just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent to be saved, we too are invited to look upon the crucified Christ, lifted high, for our healing and redemption.
As we approach the Paschal mystery—the death and resurrection of our Lord—let us embrace this time to deepen our faith and solidify our understanding of who Jesus is. He is the “I AM,” the one who sustains, redeems, and transforms. His willingness to be lifted up for our sins invites us to a transformative encounter with Him. The promise of salvation is extended to all who believe.
May we cast our burdens upon the Lord, look to Him for healing, and allow our faith to deepen as we draw closer to His love. Let us also remember that all who come to Him will live forever, for in His death and resurrection, we find our true life. Amen.
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