Daily Readings - Sun Sep 14 2025
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.
Philippians
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
John
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, humility, and salvation. In the first reading from Numbers, we see the Israelites growing weary of their journey and complaining against God and Moses. Their lack of trust leads to a crisis, but God provides a solution through the bronze serpent, which becomes a symbol of healing and salvation for those who gaze upon it. This story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God remains faithful and offers us a way to restoration.
The second reading from Philippians takes us deeper into the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. It describes how Jesus, though divine, emptied himself and took on the form of a servant, humbling himself even to death on the Cross. This act of humility is met with God’s exaltation, and Jesus is given a name above all names. This passage teaches us that true greatness comes not from power or status but from self-giving love and obedience.
In the Gospel, Jesus draws a connection between the bronze serpent and his own mission. Just as the serpent was lifted up to bring healing to the people, Jesus must be lifted up on the Cross to bring eternal life to all who believe. John 3:16 reminds us of the depth of God’s love for the world, a love so profound that he gave his only Son for our salvation. These readings together call us to trust in God’s providence, embrace humility, and place our faith in Jesus, who was lifted up for the salvation of the world. May we gaze upon the Cross with hearts full of gratitude and trust, knowing that in Jesus, we have eternal life.