Daily Readings - Tue Mar 20 2018
Numbers
4From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way.5And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."6Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.7And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people.8And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."9So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
John
21So he said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come."22So the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?"23He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.24I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."25So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.26I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him."27They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.28So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.29And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."30As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, redemption, and the divine plan. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where their impatience and ingratitude lead to a trial involving fiery serpents. Moses intercedes, and God provides a symbol of salvation—the bronze serpent—offering healing to those who gaze upon it. This story highlights the Israelites' struggle with faith amidst hardship and God's merciful response.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Jews about His divine origin and destiny, emphasizing that without belief in Him, they will remain in sin. He refers to Himself as the Beginning and hints at His crucifixion, where He will be "lifted up," a pivotal moment for salvation. This passage underscores Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the necessity of faith for eternal life.
These readings connect through the theme of salvation. The bronze serpent in Numbers prefigures Jesus' crucifixion, where looking upon Him brings spiritual healing. Just as the Israelites needed faith to be healed, we must trust in Jesus to save us from sin. In our daily lives, we face challenges that test our faith, but through these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and seek redemption through Jesus. The moral lesson is clear: faith in God's providence and turning to Jesus in times of struggle lead us to true healing and salvation.