His Word Today: Lift

Good morning everyone,

As we prepare for the celebration of Easter every year, we hear the scriptures speaking of deeper meanings behind the final events in Jesus' life.  This year, these same readings seem to carry with them a new reality.  Perhaps our eyes are being opened by the severe restrictions that are being put into place.  Perhaps because many of us have had our daily routines interrupted, we have been able to slow down and we can now understand these words in new light.

Without realizing it, the Israelites had become accustomed to the comforts of their life in Egypt, even if that meant that they were living in slavery. The Book of Numbers recounts the unease that they encountered in the desert, to the point that they grumbled about having been led out of Egypt: out of slavery. To express his anger at their lack of appreciation, the Lord sent a plague of snakes which hit the people so that many of them died (Num 21:6).  This woke them up and reminded them of the gift they had been given.  When they cried out to the Lord for help, God's response was to instruct Moses to sculpt a bronze serpent and to mount it on a pole so that those who were bitten might look at it and be saved (cf Num 6:9).

One week and a few days before we celebrate Easter, the gospel passage for today's Mass places us with Jesus at a time when he was instructing his disciples so that they would be able to understand the meaning behind the sacrifice that he was to endure: When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am (Jn 8:28).  The word 'I am' refers to the name which was revealed when God first made himself known to Moses in front of the burning bush (cf Ex 3:14).

Today, let us lift up all our brothers and sisters who are sick and suffering.  Let us also lift up all those medical personnel, volunteers ... and all those who are working tirelessly to care for those who are suffering.  Let us look to Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross, and ask him to be close to all those who need his help today.  Placing them all in his hands, we must trust that he will take care for them all and lift them up when they are downtrodden.

Let us also pray for the countless men and women who have lost their lives in recent weeks and months, and for all those who have given their lives while they have been standing courageously on the front lines, offering their help to those who are in most need of their help.  May they rest in peace and know the glory of eternal life.

Have a great day.