The Burning One

First readingNumbers 21:4b-9With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!”In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.” Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.________Responsorial PsalmPsalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38Do not forget the works of the Lord!Hearken, my people, to my teaching;incline your ears to the words of my mouth.I will open my mouth in a parable,I will utter mysteries from of old.Do not forget the works of the Lord!While he slew them they sought himand inquired after God again,Remembering that God was their rockand the Most High God, their redeemer.Do not forget the works of the Lord!But they flattered him with their mouthsand lied to him with their tongues,Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,nor were they faithful to his covenant.Do not forget the works of the Lord!But he, being merciful, forgave their sinand destroyed them not;Often he turned back his angerand let none of his wrath be roused.Do not forget the works of the Lord!Second readingPhilippians 2:6-11Brothers and sisters:Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godsomething to be grasped.Rather, he emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,coming in human likeness;and found human in appearance,he humbled himself,becoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.Because of this, God greatly exalted himand bestowed on him the namewhich is above every name,that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.GospelJohn 3:13-17Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com