Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 23, 2021
First Reading: Numbers 21.4-9
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.
Psalm 102
1Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.2Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.3For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.4My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.5Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.6I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.7I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.8All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.9For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears10because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.11My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.12But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.13You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.14For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.15The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.16For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.17He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.18Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:19"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,20to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."21So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem22when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.23In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days.24So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.25In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.26They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.27But you remain the same, and your years will never end.28The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."
Gospel: John 8.21-30
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 stories that invite us to reflect on faith, redemption, and the mystery of God’s love. The first reading from Numbers describes a moment of crisis for the Israelites as they journey through the wilderness. Tired and discontent, they complain against God and Moses, questioning why they were led out of Egypt only to suffer hardship. As a result, God sends fiery serpents to afflict the people, but when they repent and ask for mercy, Moses intercedes by lifting up a bronze serpent as a sign of healing. This ancient story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy is available to those who turn to him in faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the Jews about his divine origin and destiny. He explains that he comes from above and is not of this world, but the people struggle to understand his words. 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 consider our own response to Jesus. Do we recognize him as the Son of God, or do we allow our limited understanding to keep us from faith?
Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear or difficult. The bronze serpent in the wilderness and the lifted-up Son of Man are symbols of redemption, reminding us that salvation comes through faith and surrender. In our daily lives, we may face challenges that test our faith, but like the Israelites, we can turn to God for healing and guidance. Let us ask for the grace to believe in Jesus, the Beginning and the One who speaks the truth of the Father. May we always seek to do what is pleasing to him, trusting that he is with us, even when the journey seems uncertain.