FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

1st Reading             Numbers 21:4b-9

Psalm                       78: 1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38 (R. cf. 7b)

R:// "Never forget the deeds of the Lord!"

2nd Reading          Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel                     John 3:13-17

LOOK AND LIVE

Friends, Peace and Goodness! Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast, celebrated on September 14, commemorates the finding of the true Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The finding was led by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. The Word of God for this Sunday aligns with the celebration. Let us consider a few thoughts from them for our reflection. The first reading is from Numbers 21:4b-9, and the Gospel is from John 3:13-17.

Let us start with the first reading from Numbers 21:4-9. In Hebrew, the name of the Book is 'Bəmidbar', meaning "in the desert". The setting of the events in this book is the desert. The book is a great metaphor for Christian life. Israel has just been set free and moving towards a free and permanent abode. The text of Numbets is set between being set free from slavery and moving towards their promised land. In this space, a lot took place. Their faithfulness to their freedom is tested. Similarly, as we journey this earth, we are also in the desert. Every day and every event is a test of our faithfulness to the freedom we have received. 

The passage of the first reading concerns the complaint of the Israelites against God and Moses. The complaint was basically that they had been brought out of Egypt to die in the desert. This is as a result of impatience on the way. They were journeying without getting to their destination as they had to go around certain areas, some of which cannot be accessed (Num. 21:4a). The accusations are that they were to die in the desert because there was no food or water and that the food they were given is worthless. Are these accusations true? 

Remember that they are in the desert. This is a place of hunger. Although the desert has this nature of aridity and lack, God provided food and water and even security for them (Num. 11:31-35; 20:1-13). There is no point in saying that there is no food or water for them. Perhaps they were thinking about the food in Egypt. However, they ate Egyptian food under slavery. Therefore, to say that there is no food or water is a false testimony against the Lord's providence. 

The second accusation is that even the food given them in the desert is "worthless". Precisely, this is the Manna. This is food from Heaven. This cannot be reduced to a mere food. The value of this food is incomparable and unmatched. Why despise the gift of God or render worthless what is from God? 

The result of these accusations is SIN. Whenever we despise and devalue the providence of God, we SIN. Realise that the text does not explicitly pronounce SIN upon them. They realised the consequence of their action and told Moses, "We have sinned...". They were attacked by "fiery serpents". The mention of "Serpent" should send us back to the Garden of Eden. The Serpent is a memory of the fall. It is a visible reminder of Israel's own rebellion in the desert. Every bite from the Serpent in the desert would recall the original wound of humanity, which is SIN. This reminder at the sight of serpents would plausibly lead them to clearly tell Moses, "we have sinned...". 

The author relates how the Lord remedied the situation at Moses' intervention and intercession. I suggest that there are two details. The first is the "Bronze Serpent" (Heb: něhāš něhōšet). The use of an image of a Serpent tells us that the remedy to the problem is in the problem itself. The thing that once symbolised death in Eden and in the desert is now lifted high as a channel of life. Similarly, when we despise God's sovereignty and providence, and we sin, the remedy to the sin lies in the problem of sinning. Every problem of life has within it its solution. 

The second is the "Pole" (נס — nês) on which the Serpent was hanged (Num. 21:8). The pole would probably be wooden. Remember that in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate from a TREE and sinned against God. Here, in Numbers 21, the bronze serpent was hanged on a pole, a wooden material. The lifting of the pole and the bronze Serpent was the remedy to the problem. These two are counters to the problem itself. They are unimaginable instruments of salvation for the moment. All that is necessary is to LOOK. Hence, all that is required from us to LOOK carefully and find LIFE because what seems a problem to us has the healing remedy in it. 

The Gospel from John 3:13-17 is a strong reference to the event of Numbers 21:4-9. Jesus said, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life" (Jn. 13: 14-15).

Two details strongly connect to the first reading. The first is that there is a  connection between Christ and the Serpent and the pole and the Cross. The second is the "lifting".

First, the Bronze Serpent was made in the likeness of the destroyer but without venom. It does not possess a destructive force. On the contrary, it is a counter to what kills. Comparatively, Christ took on the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), yet without sin, that destructive force in order to destroy sin. Christ becomes the perfect man, the perfect remedy to the situation to save and redeem sinful man. Surprisingly, that perfect man dies on a Cross, the product of a TREE. We should necessarily relate to the Garden of Eden and Numbers 21:4-9. But, in Deuteronomy 21:23, any man hanged on a tree is a curse of God. There is also another reversal. What bore the sign of death and alienation now becomes what we can cling to for life. 

The final detail is the "lifting up". Moses did the same with the bronze Serpent on the Pole. From a usual point of view, a thing is lifted so that it is displayed for all to see. In this case, no one can miss it. There is no excuse to give. It is made public. The only thing to do is to LOOK and LIVE. While Numbers 21:4-9 invites us to LOOK, John 3:14-15 invites us to BELIEVE. This seems like a development. The Hebrew word for LOOK, as used in the text, is "nābāṭ", which is a trustful gaze in the provision of God. Thus, the Bronze Serpent, a counter to the fiery serpents. This is a physical act. John tells us to BELIEVE. The Greel word used there is "pisteuō". This is the word for FAITH. This is interior. Jesus, in John's Gospel, tells us to raise our hearts in trustful gaze on God's remedy. 

Let the Cross be our nēs — our banner of hope. When life’s serpents bite, when sin wounds, when despair creeps in, may we lift our gaze to Christ and find life. Today, in our own deserts — in the classrooms, workshops, offices, and families — the invitation is the same: Look to the Cross, Believe in the Crucified One, and Live. LOOK AND LIVE.

Pax et Bonum