Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent - March 23, 2021

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Numbers 21:4-9 John 8:21-30

As I write this, it is early in the New Year of 2021. The first reading today speaks of the Israelites following Moses into the Egyptian desert where they are tired, weary and even complaining of the heaven-sent manna. Many of us are similarly weary from our travels through the desert of 2020, some possibly to the point of questioning our leaders and even our Lord, as did the Israelites. Our personal deserts have included isolation through COVID shut down, loss of jobs and economic vitality, and loss of community during important life passages such as marriages, baptisms, sickness, aging and funerals. These losses have been disheartening, and like the Israelites, there is a true basis for the disappointment that looms over us. The Lord of the Old Testament was disappointed enough with Moses’ followers’ questioning that he sent serpents among them. After Moses prayed and interceded on their behalf, the Lord told Moses to create a bronze serpent on a staff to save all of those who looked upon it.

If we agree that we have been through the desert, should we not also consider if we have seen a serpent on a rod with saving powers? When I asked myself this, some of the recent sustaining outreaches into my life have included:

• Monsignor Brad’s, Father Pat’s and Father Curran’s homilies from the altar;

• Sharing wine with friends around fire pits through the winter;

• A return of familiar faces into our 25 percent occupied pews;

• Gatherings reuniting family members;

• My father’s care provider, Beth Dierks.

This is not our first desert; we are not out of this one and we know that there will be more in the future. Let us continue to pray for the occasional bronze serpents on a rod to help us.

Q: What deserts have you encountered on your faith journey and what “rods” have helped you along the way?

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