OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD ~ CookingFood.Org

“GENEROUS LENT 2017”

Lenten Reflections

Tuesday, 4^thApril 2017,

Fifth Week of Lent

Num 21: 4-9;

Ps 101: 2-3, 16-21;

Jn 8: 21-30.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

In the first reading we hear the Israelites complaining about God and Moses. These people were delivered from a bondage, but yet wished to be in bondage. They did not really know God, their deliverer. They did not have a real relationship with him. In the gospel we see Jesus concern and love for mankind. From centuries they had heard from prophets, and they expected the messiah. But when he stood before them they failed to recognize him. Their knowledge of the messiah was not concrete. Jesus with his teaching tries to wake them up.

The Father is the One who sent Jesus into the world for His mission and Jesus acknowledges that the Father will not leave Him alone. Jesus says this, knows it and experiences the blessing of that relationship in His human and divine Heart. Unlike the Israelites and the Pharisees, Jesus was clearly aware of His relationship with the Father.

We are what some term as ‘Sleeping Christians’. We know to say prayers, we know when to stand, when to sit, when to kneel at Church, but our relationship with God is only to the extent our life is happy, pleasurable. We begin to doubt the existence of God, the moment we experience pain and discomfort. Today’s liturgy calls us to be ‘Awakened Christians’, to be conscious of our relationship with God and the world. Jesus with his sacrifice on the Cross liberates us from our bondage to sin. We are to realise the worth of his sacrifice and turn from sin. Lent calls out to us to be renewed in the love of God, turn to Jesus on the cross and find love, forgiveness and mercy in him and to become love, forgiveness and Mercy to others.

Reflect today about the mission that Jesus was given: the mission to give His life in a sacrificial way. Also reflect upon how God wants you to live out this same mission with Christ of sacrificial love and self-giving. You may already be living it wholeheartedly, or you may need some new direction. Say “Yes” to it with courage and confidence and God will walk with you every step of the way.

Prayer: Lord, I say “Yes” to the perfect plan you have for my life. Whatever it may be I accept without hesitation, dear Lord. I know that You are always with me and that I am never alone. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.