Fifth Tuesday of Lent

“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us.”

When things don’t go our way, we are tempted to complain. Why couldn’t God help me? Why didn’t He give me what I wanted when I wanted it? Why do I have to suffer this or that? However, these questions are poisonous to our hearts, minds, and souls. They turn us against God through unrealistic and unfair demands. God is not with us to cater to our every want and desire. He knows far better than us what will do us good and what will harm us. What we want and what we truly need can be complete opposites. Some of us require reminders of our place in the world. Our pride can blind us and God sends trials to us to open our eyes. Others suffer not because of something they’ve done wrong, but because God knows their response will be Christ-like and deepen their faith in ways that could not happen if their lives were all sunshine and happiness. God knows what each of us can beat. He never gives us more than we can handle. We might not like what He is asking of us, but it doesn’t mean His Divine Plan is unfair. His Will is just, loving, and merciful and will forge us into good and faithful servants if we will allow it to do so.

Have we ever felt disgusted with our lot in life and complained to God? How can we learn to embrace what we are going through, even the sufferings, and do God’s Will? What can we do to build up the virtue of fortitude in our faith even during times of trial?

O Lord, take away the poisonous complaints that find their way onto our lips and make us into a persevering people.

Amen.