Daily Readings - Tue Mar 20 2018
First Reading - Numbers 21.4-9
Numbers
4And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.7Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.9And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Gospel - John 8.21-30
John
21Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.26I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.30As he spake these words, many believed on 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.