The Brazen Serpent. What God is Really Telling Moses . . . and Us!

The Brazen Serpent . . .

Because He spoke this way, many became to believe in Him.

This might be a puzzling statement that we hear in today’s Gospel. I might not even understand that statement! This is a mysterious passage found in St. John’s Gospel. Mysterious because it moved hearts, when to today’s ear, it may sound confusing. Hear more about what St. John is actually telling us!

In the first reading (not included within this audio) we hear about the people of Israel, led by Moses, in the dessert. They are complaining as they near the end of their forty-year journey.  The people are complaining about the food. They are complaining about being in the dessert. It is not the first time they complain to Moses. The people do not appreciate the miraculous events of being fed every day in the dessert with Quail and Manna for Heaven.

Note what we hear. Israel has a miracle raining upon them every day. Their response? We are tired of the miracles. They do not appreciate God’s gift.

. . . What God is Really Telling Moses . . . and Us!

It’s a lesson that is appropriate for us today! Instead of focusing on the greater things . . . the miracle and blessings God gives to us . . . we focus on the lesser things . . . in this case, the type of food they are eating. Hear more within the Homily.

God steps away from protecting the people in the dessert, just as the people asks Him to do so.  When He does, the serpents come, killing many of the people. The people then realize what God has done for them. Moses is then told to craft a serpent on a pole. Why? What is God telling us? How is this relevant as we approach Holy Week?

Listen to the Brazen Serpent. What God is Really Telling Moses . . . and Us! Listen to this Meditation Media.

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