Daily Readings - Tue Apr 09 2019
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, rebellion, and redemption. The first reading from Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where their impatience and rebellion against God lead to a trial involving fiery serpents. Moses intercedes, and God provides a bronze serpent as a symbol of healing for those who look upon it. This ancient story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy is ever-present, offering a path to salvation.
The Gospel from John shifts our focus to Jesus, who speaks of His divine origin and the necessity of faith. Jesus explains that He is from above, not of this world, and that without belief, one remains in sin. The Jews struggle to grasp His identity, but Jesus’ words point to a profound truth: He is the revelation of God, the source of life and truth. This passage challenges us to examine our own faith and whether we truly recognize Jesus as the Son of God.
Both readings converge on the theme of redemption through faith. The bronze serpent in Numbers prefigures the cross of Christ, where Jesus is lifted up for the salvation of humanity. Just as the Israelites looked upon the serpent to be healed, we are called to look upon Christ, crucified and risen, to find eternal life. In our daily lives, we face our own wilderness experiences—times of doubt and rebellion. Yet, these readings remind us that God’s love is unfailing. When we turn to Him in faith, even in our sin, we find healing and redemption. Let us, therefore, embrace the gift of faith, trusting in God’s mercy and allowing His love to transform our hearts.