"THE CROSS :A SIGN OF SALVATION"
First Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel Reading: John. 3:13-17
*First reading is from the book of Numbers. This passage gives the story of the chosen people who rebelled against Moses in the desert. God punished them by sending serpents and many died of snake bites. However, when people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and it was kept on a pole. All those who looked at the bronze serpent were healed. The bronze serpent is a pre-figuration the crucified Lord: when we look at the cross with faith, our redemption is assured.
* Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Philippians. Paul tells the Christian community at Philippi and us that Jesus the Lord of Heaven and earth emptied Himself of His divinity to become one among us. Not only He became human, but He subjected Himself to be crucified . Heavenly Father honoured Him for His self emptying by making Him the Lord of everything in Heaven and on earth. Thus Jesus is victorious by His death on the Cross.
Eternal Life through Jesus'death on the Cross
Today's Gospel reading is from the gospel of John. Jesus speaks about His own crucifixion and death on the cross in the background of Moses keeping the bronze serpent as a life giving sign (ref. Num. 21:4-9). He assures us that His own death on the cross and resurrection will bring eternal life to the fallen humankind. In the Old Testament story of bronze serpent, the bite of the serpents came to not, once they were confronted straight in the eye- through the symbol of bronze serpent. Jesus as He faced death on the cross, the power of death is taken away. Jesus being crucified and lifted high on the cross, took away the power of death over humankind. Hence this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrating a saving event in the Salvation history of humankind.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus speaks of God's infinite love that made the Son to become a part of human history to give eternal life to humankind.
"God proved His love on the cross, when Christ hung and bled and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you '- Billy Graham
"To endure the cross is not tragedy: it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
First Reading: Numbers 21: 4-9
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel Reading: John. 3:13-17
*First reading is from the book of Numbers. This passage gives the story of the chosen people who rebelled against Moses in the desert. God punished them by sending serpents and many died of snake bites. However, when people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and it was kept on a pole. All those who looked at the bronze serpent were healed. The bronze serpent is a pre-figuration the crucified Lord: when we look at the cross with faith, our redemption is assured.
* Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Philippians. Paul tells the Christian community at Philippi and us that Jesus the Lord of Heaven and earth emptied Himself of His divinity to become one among us. Not only He became human, but He subjected Himself to be crucified . Heavenly Father honoured Him for His self emptying by making Him the Lord of everything in Heaven and on earth. Thus Jesus is victorious by His death on the Cross.
Eternal Life through Jesus'death on the Cross
Today's Gospel reading is from the gospel of John. Jesus speaks about His own crucifixion and death on the cross in the background of Moses keeping the bronze serpent as a life giving sign (ref. Num. 21:4-9). He assures us that His own death on the cross and resurrection will bring eternal life to the fallen humankind. In the Old Testament story of bronze serpent, the bite of the serpents came to not, once they were confronted straight in the eye- through the symbol of bronze serpent. Jesus as He faced death on the cross, the power of death is taken away. Jesus being crucified and lifted high on the cross, took away the power of death over humankind. Hence this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrating a saving event in the Salvation history of humankind.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus speaks of God's infinite love that made the Son to become a part of human history to give eternal life to humankind.
"God proved His love on the cross, when Christ hung and bled and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you '- Billy Graham
"To endure the cross is not tragedy: it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
