THE GAZE OF FAITH

Meditation for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
(Num 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30)

Let us meditate on the mystery of the bronze serpent, which Moses lifted up in the desert. The efficacy of that great sign, through which God saved those who were bitten by the snake, is located in the mystery of Jesus Christ, who said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am He.” When the Israelites sinned and were dying from snake bite, they repented, confessed and pleaded for mercy. Could God not have forgiven them without the bronze serpent? The erection of the bronze serpent as a symbolic remedy was the fruit of God’s mercy upon them. The gesture of looking up to the bronze serpent was a response of faith, and a sign of personal commitment and responsibility.

The lifting up of the bronze serpent and the subsequent gazing up to it is fulfilled in Jesus, who was lifted up on the Cross, and we gaze upon Him with the eyes of faith. This is how the healing remedy from the Cross is poured into the hearts of believers and we are renewed and restored from the bite of sin. This active faith is not WISHFUL THINKING, no! It demands personal responsibility and commitment. Sometimes people of this generation want a faith that avoids the ‘inconvenience’ of gazing upon the Cross. We tend to desire a healing remedy that does not require personal commitment and responsibility. Our fasting, prayer and almsgiving at this season of Lent are ways we raise up our eyes of faith up Jesus crucified, just as the Israelites looked up to the bronze serpent and they were saved.

 

How can we be indifferent, close our eyes, turn of our minds, and be dying in self-pity from the snake bites of sin, sickness, economic hardships, insecurity, immorality, bad governance, etc, while the eternal remedy is lifted up before us? Hence, Jesus warns, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He.” Think about the great personal commitment and responsibility Catholics exhibit when they step forward to receive the eternal remedies of the Cross through the Sacraments of the Church. When we kneel at Confession and join the solemn procession to Holy Communion, our eyes of faith are raised up to Jesus, who was lifted up on Cross, and fountain of mercy flows freely into our hearts, neutralizing the venom of sin and human weakness. Then, we are cleansed and renewed in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday March 28^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

27^th Lenten Meditation