Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 28, 2023
First Reading: Numbers 21.4-9
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.
Psalm 102
1Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.2Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.3For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.4My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.5By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.6I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.7I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.8Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.9For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,10Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.11My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.12But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.14For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.15So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.16When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.17He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.19For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;20To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;21To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;22When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.23He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.24I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.25Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.26They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:27But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.28The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.
Gospel: John 8.21-30
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
The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where they grow weary and complain against God and Moses. Their lack of faith and gratitude leads to a punishment of fiery serpents, but when they repent, Moses intercedes, and God provides a sign of salvation: a bronze serpent lifted high. Those who gaze upon it are healed. This story reminds us that even in our struggles and doubts, God offers us a way to return to Him and find healing.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about His divine origin and destiny. He emphasizes that He comes from above and speaks the truth of the Father. 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 reflect on our own faith: do we recognize Jesus as the Son of God, and do we trust in His words and mission?
Both readings point to the importance of faith and trust in God. The bronze serpent in Numbers prefigures the cross of Christ, where Jesus is "lifted up" for the salvation of the world. Just as the Israelites needed to gaze upon the serpent to be healed, we must look to Christ, crucified and risen, to find eternal life. In our daily lives, when we face challenges or doubts, let us turn to Christ, the ultimate sign of God's love and mercy. May we, like many in the Gospel, come to believe in Him more deeply and follow His truth.