Daily Readings - Tue Apr 09 2019
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, rebellion, and redemption. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where their impatience and rebellion against God lead to a trial involving fiery serpents. Moses intercedes, and God provides a bronze serpent as a symbol of healing for those who look upon it. This ancient story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy is ever-present, offering a path to salvation.
The Gospel from John shifts our focus to Jesus, who speaks of His divine origin and the necessity of faith. Jesus explains that He is from above, not of this world, and that without belief, one remains in sin. The Jews struggle to grasp His identity, but Jesus’ words point to a profound truth: He is the revelation of God, the source of life and truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own faith and whether we truly recognize Jesus as the Son of God.
Both readings converge on the theme of redemption through faith. The bronze serpent in Numbers prefigures the cross of Christ, where Jesus is lifted up for the salvation of humanity. Just as the Israelites looked upon the serpent to be healed, we are called to look upon Christ, crucified and risen, to find eternal life. In our daily lives, we face our own wilderness experiences—times of doubt and rebellion. Yet, these readings remind us that God’s love is unfailing. When we turn to Him in faith, even in our sin, we find healing and redemption. Let us, therefore, embrace the gift of faith, trusting in God’s mercy and allowing His love to transform our hearts.