5TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF LENT — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE EFFICACY OF THE CROSS
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Num 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 16-20; John 8:21-30
To sin literally means to miss the mark or to be off target. The essence of sin is that it diverts us from God and from our true purpose in life — to know the source of all truth and beauty which is God himself and to be united with God in everlasting joy. When Adam first sinned, he hid himself from God (Genesis 3:8-10). That is what sin does; it separates us from the One who is all loving, all-wise, and all-just.
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Do we know the healing power of the cross of Christ? When the people of Israel were afflicted with serpents in the wilderness because of their sin, God instructed Moses: “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live” (Numbers 21:8). The bronze serpent points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe. The result of Jesus “being lifted up on the cross” and his rising and exaltation to the Father’s right hand in heaven, is our “new birth in the Spirit” and adoption as sons and daughters of God. God not only redeems us, but he fills us with his own divine life and power that we might share in his glory. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit that we may have power to be his witnesses and to spread and defend the gospel by word and action, and to never be ashamed of Christ’s Cross.
REFLECTION: Are we ready to witness the truth and joy of the gospel to those around us?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words and deeds may be according to your Father’s law and thus may we be saved and protected through your mighty help. Amen.
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