Tuesday of the Fifth Week

Reflection

Life offers constant challenges to help us grow in many ways physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  In our first reading today, the people of Israel have come within reach of the Holy Land and had hopes of at long last being able to enter, but Moses is instructing them to go back to the desert. They did not seek explanation and insight for this decision, but immediately started their old pattern of complaining against Moses.

Complaining and not seeking God now is the sin they committed and sin is a self-destruct mechanism in our very beings.  Their immune systems became weakened and the snakes’ bites caused many deaths. When they realized their sin in not seeking God, wisdom, and understanding, they expressed their sin and ask forgiveness and a means of healing.

Sometimes it is easier to blame others, become angry, complain, and not seek to understand and ask God for help.  It is important to recognize our feelings and sometimes express them in a safe and satisfying way but also bring them to God for understanding.  So often the answers do not come right away and like the children of Israel, I can become impatient and act out of that feeling.

When we ask God for understanding and clarity, sometimes the answer lies in looking at the very thing that caused our frustration as the children of Israel were instructed to look at the serpent on the pole.  When someone or something has triggered strong negative feelings in me, I usually do not want to see or be with that person or thing, but unless I express my feelings, listening and hearing the others, wisdom can’t be found.

Prayer

Merciful Abba, thank You for always being present and available to hear my feelings both positive and negative and ready to help me see and understand Your ways.  Amen.

Sr. Karen Pozniak, S.N.D. de N., Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21
Gospel: John 8:21-30

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website