Commentary:
Reading 1 Numbers 21:4-9
The people were growing tired of the food, probably manna, and complained bitterly. They believed that in failing to love God they sinned against him and in punishment serpents were sent to afflict them.
There is great symbolism in the final paragraph as Moses makes the bronze serpent (from the footnote in the NAB): “If anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover: "and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that those who believe in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting" (John 3:14-15).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
Psalm 102 is an individual lament. In this selection we find the cry of the people in the desert once more being directed to the Lord. The song proposes a covenant – If you hear our plea, we will revere your name.
Gospel John 8:21-30
Jesus continues his discourse with the Pharisees, trying to lead them to understanding. He tells them that he is going away, clearly implying his own death, and tells them they may not follow him. Their unbelief is sin and hence they will die in the sin. They do not understand the manner of his death (that he will lay his life down) but rather see a partial truth in thinking he will kill himself.
Even though he uses language filled with specific clues (the use of the phrase “I Am”, God’s own designation for himself) they still do not understand. Toward the end he alludes to the Saraph image from Numbers; “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I Am” and at the same time makes it clear whose Son he is.
Reflection:
In many self motivational books and training programs the instructors will tell you to select a goal (this is always a financial or material goal) and then get a picture of whatever it is you want and put it in a place where you will see it every day. That way you will constantly be reminded of what you want and work harder for it. I have also heard that in some diet books it is recommended that the dieter put a picture on the door of the refrigerator that will remind them that they should not be eating.
Even if these trainers have a skewed view of what is or should be important, they do understand something about human behavior. There is even a very old adage that supports the concept; “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Today we are reminded that we need a constant reminder of who it is we follow. In the reading from Numbers, Moses made an image of the Saraph Serpent at the Lord’s command and raised it up and all those people who were dying from the bite of those serpents were saved.
This illustration of raising up God’s image and bringing salvation was repeated in the Gospel from John as Jesus told the unbelieving Pharisees; “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM”. We need that image always before our eyes.
It may be unrealistic to carry a picture of the crucified Lord with us so that we always see it, or is it? We have a distinct advantage over many of our protestant brethren. We have a world of religious art to inspire us. We can keep discrete reminders of our Savior at home, in our cars, even in our pockets or purses. When we see them, let those symbols remind us who we follow. When we look at the Lord, let us remember it is his example we strive to emulate.
The challenge for us is not to become complacent with that image. So often we get a rosary and stick it in a pocket or purse and it’s just there. It ceases to be meaningful, it becomes part of the decorations, too familiar to inspire. That is also a challenge of our faith – our practice too becomes something we do, no longer inspiring us to act in the name of that Lord we so revere.
Our prayer and promise today is that we find those symbols that should always be in front of our eyes and renew them in their ability to inspire us. Perhaps change them out for others on a regular basis so they are always new and fresh. The same too with our worship, it must never become stale and old – we must always be pressing ahead – striving for that next level of faith and understanding. In this way the Lord, raised up on the Cross, will always be our beacon and our hope.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] [2] The image presented today is “Christ Disputing with the Pharisees” by Jacob Jordaens, 1651-52
Reading 1 Numbers 21:4-9
The people were growing tired of the food, probably manna, and complained bitterly. They believed that in failing to love God they sinned against him and in punishment serpents were sent to afflict them.
There is great symbolism in the final paragraph as Moses makes the bronze serpent (from the footnote in the NAB): “If anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover: "and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that those who believe in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting" (John 3:14-15).”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21
R. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.
Psalm 102 is an individual lament. In this selection we find the cry of the people in the desert once more being directed to the Lord. The song proposes a covenant – If you hear our plea, we will revere your name.
Gospel John 8:21-30
Jesus continues his discourse with the Pharisees, trying to lead them to understanding. He tells them that he is going away, clearly implying his own death, and tells them they may not follow him. Their unbelief is sin and hence they will die in the sin. They do not understand the manner of his death (that he will lay his life down) but rather see a partial truth in thinking he will kill himself.
Even though he uses language filled with specific clues (the use of the phrase “I Am”, God’s own designation for himself) they still do not understand. Toward the end he alludes to the Saraph image from Numbers; “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I Am” and at the same time makes it clear whose Son he is.
Reflection:
In many self motivational books and training programs the instructors will tell you to select a goal (this is always a financial or material goal) and then get a picture of whatever it is you want and put it in a place where you will see it every day. That way you will constantly be reminded of what you want and work harder for it. I have also heard that in some diet books it is recommended that the dieter put a picture on the door of the refrigerator that will remind them that they should not be eating.
Even if these trainers have a skewed view of what is or should be important, they do understand something about human behavior. There is even a very old adage that supports the concept; “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Today we are reminded that we need a constant reminder of who it is we follow. In the reading from Numbers, Moses made an image of the Saraph Serpent at the Lord’s command and raised it up and all those people who were dying from the bite of those serpents were saved.
This illustration of raising up God’s image and bringing salvation was repeated in the Gospel from John as Jesus told the unbelieving Pharisees; “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM”. We need that image always before our eyes.
It may be unrealistic to carry a picture of the crucified Lord with us so that we always see it, or is it? We have a distinct advantage over many of our protestant brethren. We have a world of religious art to inspire us. We can keep discrete reminders of our Savior at home, in our cars, even in our pockets or purses. When we see them, let those symbols remind us who we follow. When we look at the Lord, let us remember it is his example we strive to emulate.
The challenge for us is not to become complacent with that image. So often we get a rosary and stick it in a pocket or purse and it’s just there. It ceases to be meaningful, it becomes part of the decorations, too familiar to inspire. That is also a challenge of our faith – our practice too becomes something we do, no longer inspiring us to act in the name of that Lord we so revere.
Our prayer and promise today is that we find those symbols that should always be in front of our eyes and renew them in their ability to inspire us. Perhaps change them out for others on a regular basis so they are always new and fresh. The same too with our worship, it must never become stale and old – we must always be pressing ahead – striving for that next level of faith and understanding. In this way the Lord, raised up on the Cross, will always be our beacon and our hope.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] [2] The image presented today is “Christ Disputing with the Pharisees” by Jacob Jordaens, 1651-52
Pray for Esther
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