Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 5, 2022
First Reading: Numbers 21.4-9
4Then they set out from mount Hor, by the way that leads to the Red Sea, to circle around the land of Edom. And the people began to tire of their journey and hardships5And speaking against God and Moses, they said: "Why did you lead us away from Egypt, so as to die in the wilderness? Bread is lacking; there are no waters. Our soul is now nauseous over this very light food.6For this reason, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, which wounded or killed many of them7And so they went to Moses, and they said: "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray, so that he may take away these serpents from us." And Moses prayed for the people8And the Lord said to him: "Make a bronze serpent, and place it as a sign. Whoever, having been struck, gazes upon it, shall live.9Therefore, Moses made a bronze serpent, and he placed it as a sign. When those who had been struck gazed upon it, they were healed
Psalm 102
1The prayer of the pauper, when he was anxious, and so he poured out his petition in the sight of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my outcry reach you2Do not turn your face away from me. In whatever day that I am in trouble, incline your ear to me. In whatever day that I will call upon you, heed me quickly3For my days have faded away like smoke, and my bones have dried out like firewood4I have been cut down like hay, and my heart has withered, for I had forgotten to eat my bread5Before the voice of my groaning, my bone has adhered to my flesh6I have become like a pelican in solitude. I have become like a night raven in a house7I have kept vigil, and I have become like a solitary sparrow on a roof8All day long my enemies reproached me, and those who praised me swore oaths against me9For I chewed on ashes like bread, and I mixed weeping into my drink10By the face of your anger and indignation, you lifted me up and threw me down11My days have declined like a shadow, and I have dried out like hay12But you, O Lord, endure for eternity, and your memorial is from generation to generation13You will rise up and take pity on Zion, for it is time for its mercy, for the time has come14For its stones have pleased your servants, and they will take pity on its land15And the Gentiles will fear your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory16For the Lord has built up Zion, and he will be seen in his glory17He has noticed the prayer of the humble, and he has not despised their petition18Let these things be written in another generation, and the people who will be created will praise the Lord19For he has gazed from his high sanctuary. From heaven, the Lord has beheld the earth20So may he hear the groans of those in shackles, in order that he may release the sons of the slain21So may they announce the name of the Lord in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem22while the people convene, along with kings, in order that they may serve the Lord23He responded to him in the way of his virtue: Declare to me the brevity of my days24Do not call me back in the middle of my days: your years are from generation to generation25In the beginning, O Lord, you founded the earth. And the heavens are the work of your hands26They will perish, but you remain. And all will grow old like a garment. And, like a blanket, you will change them, and they will be changed27Yet you are ever yourself, and your years will not decline28The sons of your servants will live, and their offspring will be guided aright in every age
Gospel: John 8.21-30
21Therefore, Jesus again spoke to them: "I am going, and you shall seek me. And you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you are not able to go.22And so the Jews said, "Is he going to kill himself, for he said: ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go?’ 23And he said to them: "You are from below. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world24Therefore, I said to you, that you will die in your sins. For if you will not believe that I am, you will die in your sin.25And so they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them: "The Beginning, who is also speaking to you26I have much to say about you and to judge. But he who sent me is true. And what I have heard from him, this I speak within the world.27And they did not realize that he was calling God his Father28And so Jesus said to them: "When you will have lifted up the Son of man, then you shall realize that I am, and that I do nothing of myself, but just as the Father has taught me, so do I speak29And he who sent me is with me, and he has not abandoned me alone. For I always do what is pleasing to him.30As he was speaking these things, many believed in him
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and divine providence. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where their discontent and lack of faith lead to a trial involving fiery serpents. Moses intercedes, and God provides a bronze serpent as a symbol of salvation, teaching the people to look to God for healing and forgiveness. This ancient story reminds us that even in our struggles and doubts, God offers us a way to be restored and renewed.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus speaking to the Jews about his divine origin and mission. Jesus emphasizes that he comes from above, and his words and actions are rooted in the will of the Father. The passage highlights the misunderstanding of the Jews, who fail to grasp the deeper truth of Jesus' identity. Yet, Jesus remains steadfast, affirming that his purpose is to reveal the Father and to bring light to the world. This exchange invites us to reflect on our own understanding of Jesus and our willingness to trust in his words and promises.
These readings connect in their emphasis on trust and faith. Just as the Israelites needed to look upon the bronze serpent to be healed, we are called to look to Jesus, who is the ultimate expression of God's love and redemption. In our daily lives, we face challenges and uncertainties, but the readings remind us to trust in God's plan and to seek spiritual healing through faith in Jesus. Let us ask ourselves: Do we turn to God in times of difficulty, or do we allow doubt and fear to guide us? May we learn to trust in God's providence and to find healing and strength in Jesus, who is our salvation and our hope.