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“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in Him.” —John 3:14-15
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus refers to an incident in the Old Testament (Nm 21:4-9). During their forty-year journey in the desert, the Israelites’ patience wore out, and the people “complained against God and Moses” (Nm 21:5). “In punishment the Lord sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died” (Nm 21:6). In His mercy, “the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover’ ” (Nm 21:8).
Serpents are still biting people today, through the attack of the original serpent, the devil (Gn 3:1). The poison of the serpent’s bite is the venom of bitterness, unforgiveness, disbelief, and rebellion. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells us that He removes this venom when we simply look upon Him (Jn 3:14-15).
So, we are to look at the Son of Man, Jesus, when He is lifted up. How can we look at Him? Gazing upon a crucifix is a literal way to fulfill this command. Reading the Word of God, especially the Gospels, helps to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:2). Eucharistic Adoration is a prime way. Best of all, attend Mass as often as possible, even daily. Jesus is lifted up in the Mass at the consecration. Gazing on Him at that moment is the supreme way of being healed of the poison of the serpent’s bite. All the ways of fixing your eyes on the lifted-up Jesus are present at each Mass, plus much more. “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1, NAB).
Prayer: Father, give me the overwhelming desire to help wounded people fix their eyes on Jesus and be healed.
Promise: “The community of believers were of one heart and one mind.” —Acts 4:32
Praise: By the age of twenty-seven, St. Catherine of Siena had led thousands to conversion by her words and her actions.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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