Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47
Forgetfulness produces ingratitude, which produces disbelief and disobedience.
The people of Israel rather than being grateful to God for liberating them from slavery and oppression in Egypt, they started to complain about food, when God provided food they expressed disdain towards manna. They were focused only on their material needs, forgetting the freedom and other blessings God had showered on them.
In today’s first reading we see, while Moses was still praying and receiving the law from the Lord they became impatient and made “a golden calf”, symbolising the presence of God. they started paying homages, worshipping as though it was their saviour who brought them out of slavery. They started to worship a creation of their own hands. When God sees this, he is furious and decides to punish them with fire but Moses pleads for them. He does this often whenever they went against the law of the Lord and whenever they complained against him.
Certainly their attitude towards God was one of ungratefulness, no matter what God did for them they constantly complained and murmured. It was never enough for them. They tend to worship instead god of their own hands, prophet Hosea also speaks of this in his book chapter 14. They forgot the God who redeemed them, which made them to be ungrateful and thus disobey God’s command, for such people there is no sense of obligation. Today’s reading is one such example.
In the Gospel of the day, Jesus continues to affirm to the Leaders that He is from God and his works are from God that God himself is the witness. Jesus presents in four ways that what He says is True:
The testimony of John the Baptist
The Works of Jesus indicate Divine Origin
The Father himself given testimony (at Baptism and Transfiguration)
The Scriptures testify about Jesus ( Prophecies referring to Him)
But the Leaders neither accepted nor believed in him. If they would carefully go through these four ways they would surely accept and believe.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Both readings present to us the ingratitude towards God and his works in their lives, the liberation and the kingdom through Jesus and many more blessings showered through Jesus.
We too are in similar ungrateful situations many times, forgetting the great things God has done for us, all that he is continuing to do for us and complaining and fashioning our own gods, trusting and worshipping them.
As God has forgiven the people of Israel in the first reading, so He is ready to forgive us and show His mercy towards us. Let us today during this time of lent reflect on this aspect and let us be grateful for all that He has given us right from our life, family, friends and works.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,his mercy endures forever. (Psalms 118:1)
Rejoice always; Pray without ceasing; In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 16-18)
FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD
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