Daily Readings - Thu Sep 14 2023
First Reading - Numbers 21.4-9 or Philippians 2.6-11
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.
Philippians
6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John
13No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that weave together themes of faith, redemption, and divine love. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' arduous journey through the wilderness, marked by their discontent and rebellion against God. Their complaints about the hardships and the manna lead to a divine judgment in the form of fiery serpents. Yet, in their repentance, Moses intercedes, and God provides a symbol of salvation—the bronze serpent. Those who gaze upon it are healed, illustrating the power of faith and God's merciful response to repentance.
The Gospel of John draws a poignant connection between this ancient story and the mission of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses lifted the bronze serpent for the salvation of the people, Jesus must be lifted up on the cross. This act of sacrifice embodies God's boundless love, as expressed in John 3:16, where He gives His only Son for the salvation of the world. The serpent in the wilderness becomes a prefiguration of Christ's redemptive work, emphasizing that faith in Him leads to eternal life. This connection underscores the continuity of God's plan of salvation, where looking upon Jesus with faith brings us healing and eternal life.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in our own wilderness, facing challenges and uncertainties. Like the Israelites, we may grumble against the journey, questioning God's plan. Yet, these readings remind us to trust in God's love and providence. Just as the bronze serpent required the people to look upon it with faith, we too must fix our gaze on Christ. In times of trial, let us turn to Jesus, the ultimate symbol of salvation, and find strength in His love. May we reflect on our own faith journeys, embracing trust and gratitude, and may our hearts remain open to the healing power of God's grace.