Daily Readings - Tue Mar 23 2021
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.
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 stories that invite us to reflect on faith, redemption, and the mystery of God’s love. The first reading from Numbers describes a moment of crisis for the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness. Tired and discontent, they complain against God and Moses, questioning why they were led out of Egypt only to suffer hardship. As a result, God sends fiery serpents to afflict the people, but when they repent and ask for mercy, Moses intercedes by lifting up a bronze serpent as a sign of healing. This ancient story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy is available to those who turn to him in faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Jews about his divine origin and destiny. He explains that he comes from above and is not of this world, but the people struggle to understand his words. Jesus warns them that if they do not believe in him, they will die in their sins. Despite their confusion and skepticism, many begin to believe in him. This passage invites us to consider our own response to Jesus. Do we recognize him as the Son of God, or do we allow our limited understanding to keep us from faith?
Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or difficult. The bronze serpent in the wilderness and the lifted-up Son of Man are symbols of redemption, reminding us that salvation comes through faith and surrender. In our daily lives, we may face challenges that test our faith, but like the Israelites, we can turn to God for healing and guidance. Let us ask for the grace to believe in Jesus, the Beginning and the One who speaks the truth of the Father. May we always seek to do what is pleasing to him, trusting that he is with us, even when the journey seems uncertain.