Daily Readings - Tue Mar 20 2018
Numbers
4They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;5they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"6Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.7The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.8The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."9So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
John
21Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."22This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"23But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."25"Who are you?" they asked.26"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."27They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.28So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.29The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."30Even as he spoke, many put their faith in 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.