Monday, March 30, 2009

Tuesday March 31, 2009

Tuesday March 31, 2009 of the fifth week I Lent

Readings: Numbers 21: 4-9 John 8: 21-30

As we approach the Easter season, the Gospel of John becomes the [revelant readins both for Sundays and daily reflection.
The book of Numbers isn’t referred to too often in the Lectionary. Here it is a prelude to the words of John reflecting upon the crucifixion of Christ and the result of our belief in Him as the Holy one, the I AM of Exodus.
During their sojourn from Egypt, the Hebrews found the lack of succulent food and clear water to be a stumbling block to their belief in God’s care for them. Their complaints against Moses and Yahweh rankled Him, so He ordered seraph serpents to afflict them and many of them died when they were bitten. In opposition to the second commandment, God had Moses construct an image of a seraph serpent and mount it on a pole. Those who looked upon the image were not killed as were the others who didn’t.

In the Gospel story, Christ, the image of God, tells the crowd their salvation would come about through His being lifted up on the cross and raised from the dead as a proof of His oneness with the Father and His divine nature.

We find these words incredulous in our social system calling for “facts”. Faith is a byword for those who believe in Christ as their God and savior. By accepting His word and abiding in His Love, we become images of Him as much as the prospect may stun our sensibilities.

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