Living
GAZING AT WHAT STANDS AHEAD
GAZING AT WHAT STANDS AHEAD
As we press close to Holy Week, we begin getting glimpses which we are to etch on the memory tablets of our minds and familiarize ourselves with them so that when we see it again, we will clearly recognize it. Such is the Gospel today.
It is not a coincidence that today’s gospel reading is paired with the Old Testament story from the book of Numbers whereby Moses lifts up the bronze image of a serpent who was biting the people. And why were they getting bit?
THE BRONZE SERPENT : A SIGN OF SIN AND GOD’S COMPASSION
Both the Old and New Testaments, are consistent in revealing that God is intolerant towards grumbling, murmuring and complaining. The text of the Book of Numbers states the seraph serpents bit the people in punishment. Only after they have been bitten do they realize their sin. Yet that is not the end of the story, for God acts with compassion on the people, forgives them and provides a remedy. The remedy is to look at a bronze image of the very thing which bit them. Hold it up and look at it. And Jesus prophecy is that he will be held up so we can look at him. He is to be “Lifted Up” On that day, no one would have expected that the lifting up would be on a cross, suffering the wretched punishment of crucifixion.
APPRECIATING THE LENTEN JOURNEY
Some people are comfortable just keeping this as a historical event. Others have etched the image on their minds so deeply that they begin to see innocent people who are crucified in today’s world by abusive power, injustice, ignorance, and justification. If you think about the crucified of today, then let’s ask once more, how is your Lenten journey really coming along? Let us always be thankful to God for the gift of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who laid down his life for our sake.
Osho
