My dear friends, the first reading of today from the book of Numbers 21:4-9 is revealing. It mirrors our behaviour sometimes toward God when we are in a fix. We often forget the goodness of the Lord when life is easy and smooth, only to remember him when life is challenging as it is evident in the life of the Israelites. They easily lose patience with God in difficult times and complain. In such times, they often focus on the present challenge while neglecting the past deeds of the Lord.
As they journeyed on their way to the Promised Land, they were hungry and thirsty. They lost patience with God and Moses and started complaining. They queried their liberation from Egypt if they were to die in the wilderness with no bread and water. They quickly failed to remember how the Lord had delivered them from Pharaoh and how he had accompanied them in their journey with the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. At any slightest moment they experienced discomfort, they forget the past and blame God and Moses for their mishap. Their impatience and rash judgement were serious setbacks in their journey. It almost ruined their relationship with God if not for Moses who intervened when God sent fiery serpents in their midst to punish them for their unfaithfulness.
The account of the Book of Numbers 21 shows that Israel was unfaithful to God. Such unfaithfulness is not uncommon in our own lives and times today. You can imagine how many times we have lost patience with God due to one problem or another. In most cases, some of us have queried God and blamed him for our problems especially when health is involved or the loss of a beloved one. We find it hard to accept discomfort and suffering. We lose our patience and complain. We can now visualize ‘the Israelites’ in us.
Notwithstanding, the steadfastness of Moses among the Israelites is heroic. He singled himself out in maintaining his faith, trusting the Lord in the midst of the challenges. That is what a Christian life and witnessing should be. He maintained his prayer life and his friendship with God. And as a leader, he intervened at the proper time for the people and pleaded for mercy on their behalf. He listened to God and was able to hear him speak. He humbly prayed like the Psalmist: ‘O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you’ (Ps 101:2). You can see the wonderful relationship Moses enjoyed in the Lord. We can then question if such relationship with God is still possible today. If the answer is yes, where are we then in our relationship with him? Are we like the Israelites or Moses or are we sitting on the fence? It calls for a sincere examination of conscience.
My dear friends, the Lenten season is nearing the end as we prepare to enter the Triduum – a great time of prayers and reconciliation. It is a time to amend the wrongs we have done by turning back to God like the Israelites and plead for mercy and forgiveness. God needs us back and he is ever ready to wipe away our sins. He keeps inviting us through the prophet Isaiah saying: ‘Come now, let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson; they shall become like wool’ (Isaiah 1:18). He is waiting for you and me. Remember, it is a favourable time and a time of grace.
Peace be with you.
