Wait for the LORD, be strong, and let your heart take courage, yea, wait for the LORD! 

Ps 27:14

Impulses on Numbers 21:4-9 und John 8:21-30 

The Scripture lessons for Lent are sometimes difficult to understand for our ears. The conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees is escalating: "Why am I still talking with you?" (John 8:25), Jesus tells them today. He and his opponents are constantly talking at cross-purposes.  

Communication can quickly be poisoned. When that happens, there is no longer a way to understand each other, no trust which is the basis of every successful communication. 

My communication with God can become poisoned as well. I rebel against God because my relationship with him does not seem to nurture me. Do I have an advantage over others by believing in God? Disaster and misery strike believers and non-believers alike. I do not always see that God's walking with me is more important than the tangible advantages and aid I beseech him to grant me. I rebel against God and say: "I loathe this worthless food" (see Numbers 21:5).

The poisonous snakes in the wilderness are like the materialised distrust of God who nevertheless does accompany his people through the wilderness. Their poison is the poison of sin which more and more alienates me from God in whom I should have every confidence. Mistrust is spreading as if the whole journey out of Egypt had only served to treacherously lead straight to disaster. Many people think that believing in God only leads to a restriction of personal freedom and other drawbacks. 

The communication between God and his people has broken down. This breakdown can only be bridged by the intercession of Moses. 

The serpent in the wilderness becomes the means of regaining trust in God's power. Dare to look at that which has alienated you from HIM. Overcome the poison of sin and rebellion against God by taking a very close look!

The serpent on the pole soon become for Christians an anticipatory image of the elevation of the Son of God on the cross. Whoever looks up to him in faith, in the full awareness of his/her own unworthiness and need of salvation, will be saved. 

The Evangelist says that many came to believe in Jesus that day. If someone holds on the faith or finds faith clearly does not necessarily follow our rules of communication. It rather lies in God's hands. But perhaps, what is required of us is the courage not to run away from the uncomfortable questions of our relationship with God. Take a close look!

And let us look again and again at the crucified LORD. 

Let us look at him in a new way, without ignoring our own inadequacies. Let HIM pick us up and lead us to new trust as Augustine learned to do from his own experience: "Abandon/Surrender yourself to God and do not be afraid; he will not hide from you so that you fall into an abyss: Don't hesitate to throw yourself on to him, he will pick you up and make you whole" (Conf VIII,27). 

A reflection written by Jeremias Kiesl O.S.A., Priest, Erfurt, Germany

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