It amazes me how throughout the Exodus the Israelites were never happy. They were always complaining and then always repenting…it was a vicious cycle. It always amazes me how God never got tired of it. God ALWAYS forgave them, no mater what. It is this mercy that I turn towards everyday in my life. How often have I also been like the Israelites? I live in America, one of the most prosperous and easiest places to live. I want for nothing yet I am never happy with what I have. My water isn’t pure enough so I have to get bottled water. I have a surplus of food to eat yet I say there is nothing to eat. What I am getting at is I have been given so much in my life and yet I still complain just like the Israelites. Good thing I am not in a desert, truly wanting for food and water.

How many people around the world wake up and do not have clean water and yet my clean tap water, which tastes a little off because I am pampered, isn’t good enough for me. How many people are lucky to get 2 meals a day of rice or of the same thing everyday and yet I get 3 or more large meals and I am not satisfied? How angry God must be, I think. Yet, God is always listening, shaping and guiding us. I am now preparing for a Spring Break Service Trip to Indianapolis, Indiana. I will be working with the poor and homeless and disabled. I will be helping those who can not afford to complain about food because they are just happy to have food. I can’t wait to be humbled by God. Truly God is in the poor and destitute. Jesus said so himself! This Lenten season has slowly taught me that it is good to give some things up because you soon find that you didn’t need them in the first place. Lent is the spring cleaning of our lives; what can we get rid of? I for one know I can get rid of my complaining nature and accept the amazing gifts God has given me.

Another theme that struck me in today’s readings is that of Easter; of hope! It was written in the Psalm, “The LORD looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” We were those prisoners. Jesus Christ is our Savior who has released us from our prison and opened the gates of Heaven to us. How amazing is that? I just can’t get over it. Jesus died for us; he released us and he is coming back for us yet again! He loves us and will never leave us. Even if I complain about all the great things I have He will still be there to hold my hand and guide me down a path of humility and thankfulness. Wow!

And yet again in the Gospel of John, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM…” This Lent have we recognized Christ right in front of us? Have we been able to remove the blinders and see Christ in our own lives? Or are we like the Pharisees and even though He is right in front of us everyday we won’t see Him until Good Friday as we lift Him up on the Cross. I hope and pray that everyday I can find Jesus in my life so that when Easter comes I can rejoice even more fully for myself and for all people around me. God Bless.