Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

It can often be the case that not only do we want our struggles and challenges resolved, but we also want them addressed immediately and taken away. The Israelites struggle and complaint is that they have no food or water. And, even what they have, they think is “wretched food.” It’s interesting how the complaint about their lack of food and water quickly goes away when the seraph serpents come and pose a greater threat. Their perspective has now changed, and they have a bigger problem.

The situations and struggles in life can feel insurmountable at times, they are just too much to endure. And, this might very well be the case, especially if we are trying to take them on alone. Our self-reliance is the biggest threat to us, beyond any of the other challenges we encounter in the world. Self-reliance is a spiritual problem that separates us from trust in God as Father.

We rely on God to provide everything—the necessities of our daily life—and, we can see that God provides all things, bringing many blessings out of our efforts, hopes, and desires. Moreover, God can even use our sins, errors, and shortcomings for our good.

Therefore, to complain as the Israelites did in the desert (which many of us do so often) is to say: “God, I don’t believe that you can provide for my needs. Maybe you have provided for me in the past, but in this situation, I don’t think you are!” The reality is that God knows our every need and God is worthy of our trust because He provides what we truly need, not just what we think we need. In every moment, let us direct our eyes toward Christ who provides for us and gives us life.

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB