Daily Readings - Tue Mar 23 2021
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 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.