A central theme to the Lenten season is that of the cross. It is from the cross that we have been liberated and set free. This bronze serpent alluded to in our Gospel is used in reference to the cross. We can say that the cross is God’s chosen instrument of forgiveness and thus from it grasp springs forth God’s mercy and love.
From the Book of Numbers we are told: “Moses therefore made a bronze serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.”
To be bitten is made in reference to the reality of sin. If we were bitten by a poisonous snake we would end up dead. So too through mortal sin our soul is deprived of sanctifying grace and thus when we die it would be impossible to merit Heaven.
God in His infinite mercy could do as He wished to bring upon our salvation. He chose to take on our human flesh out of love and to die upon the cross in order to bring about this reality. So too according to Numbers was it not enough to hold up the bronze serpent, but one must also look upon it in order to live. So too the Lord has died upon the cross and we have been redeemed, but sin continues to plague our soul. We must dare to look upon this bronze serpent with a true spirit of repentance in order that we may be healed.
The Sacrament of Confession is one of the seven sacraments. We must remember that a sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ which bestows grace. Therefore, confession, just like the other six sacraments, was instituted by the Lord. Who are we to say that we are not in need of the sacrament of confession for this would be to proclaim that we know what is best for us and therefore are not in need of what Christ has given us.
So too those bitten by the serpent had to look upon the bronze serpent in order to be healed. An Israelite could not simply say that they knew what was best to bring about their healing, but they had to heed the command of God which was brought to them by Moses. Going away by oneself and to commune with nature was not an option because this was not what was commanded and extended unto them.
Some Catholics exclaim that they are not in need of confession because their sin is between them and God. As true as this may be we cannot forget that confession was given to us by the Lord who said to the apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Let us thus come to make the sacrament of confession a way of our life. Why put off this sacrament when all that we have to do is follow and trust in the great gift that Christ has left to the Church? I invite each of you to frequent this sacrament because through our frequenting of it we dare to look upon the Lord and to seek His forgiveness and mercy. The sacrament does not have to be pushed to Advent and Lent alone, but should be looked upon throughout the whole of the year. Let us seek out and obtain the abundant mercy of the Lord. For this abundant outpouring of mercy we are given every reason to rejoice.
