Daily Readings - Tue Mar 28 2023
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
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.