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Message of the Day
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For too long we have thought of the Christian life as essentially
either involvement in political, economic, social concerns that wear us out and result in depression, or activity which keeps the church intact and doctrinally pure. Our primary orientation cannot be an institution or some great cause or even other people, but first and forever to God. Unless our identity is hid in God we will never know who we are or what we are to do. Our first act must be prayer. To be human is to pray, to meditate both day and night on the love and activity of
God. - John H. Westerhoff III and John D. Eusden, The Spiritual Life
(First things first!)
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Readings of the Day
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Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 16-18,
19-21 John 8:21-30 Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am going away;
you will look for me
and you will die in your sin.
Where I am going, you cannot come.’
The Jews said to one
another, ‘Will he kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ Jesus went on:
‘You are from below; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world.
I have told you already:
You will die in your sins.
Yes, if you do not believe that I am
He,
you will die in your sins.’
So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered:
‘What I have told you from the outset.
About you I have much to say
and much to condemn;
but the one who sent me is truthful,
and what I
have learnt from him
I declare to the world.’
They failed to understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said:
‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man,
then you will know that I am He
and that I do nothing of myself:
what the Father has
taught me is what I preach;
he who sent me is with me,
and has not left me to myself,
for I always do what pleases him.’
As he was saying this, many came to believe in
him. USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“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 recovered.” —Numbers
21:9
Satan the serpent bites people, injecting the venom of bitterness, unforgiveness, revenge, malice, and many other poisonous ills. In His mercy, God has sent the perfect antidote to the effects of this venomous poison: one faith-filled look at Jesus, lifted up on the cross (Jn 3:14-15; 8:28) brings healing. “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” (Jn 3:14-15). But do we truly want to be healed if it means looking to Jesus for healing?
Jesus was lifted up from the earth upon the cross and died to free us from our sins. He came to heal us, not to condemn us (Jn 3:17). Sadly, many prefer to live in the poison of sin rather than turn to Jesus for healing (see Jn 3:19-20). Jesus warns that if we make such a choice, we will die in our sins (Jn
8:24). It’s as though people are filled with cancer, but prefer that painful death rather than humble themselves to admit that the venomous cancer of sin is a fatal problem. A doctor would say, “Your body is filled with cancer. You will die from your cancer.” Doctor Jesus warns in His diagnosis, “You will surely die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). But we, in pride and denial, say, “We have no sin” (see 1 Jn 1:10; Jn 9:40). Thus many “refuse to
come to [Jesus] to possess life” (Jn 5:40). Repent! Turn to Jesus; look at Jesus crucified (Jn 8:28). Receive Him as your Healer and Lord. Prayer: Jesus, I repent of thinking I know more about my life than You do. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You (Heb 12:2). Promise: “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come
to realize that I AM.” —Jn 8:28 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, by Brother Lawrence (1611 - 1691). Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice/practice Third Letter For a soldier friend whom he encourages to trust in God. WE have a GOD who is infinitely gracious, and knows
all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever: thank Him with me for the favours He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions: it is a plain mark of the care He takes of you; comfort yourself then with Him, and give thanks for all. I admire also the fortitude and bravery of M. GOD
has given him a good disposition, and a good will; but there is in him still a little of the world, and a great deal of youth. I hope the affliction which GOD has sent him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make him enter into himself; it is an accident very proper to engage him to put all his trust in Him, who accompanies him everywhere: let him think of Him the oftenest he can, especially in the greatest dangers. A little lifting up the heart suffices; a little remembrance of GOD, one
act of inward worship, though upon a march, and sword in hand, are prayers which, however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to GOD; and far from lessening a soldier’s courage in occasions of danger, they best serve to fortify it. Let him then think of GOD the most he can; let him accustom himself, by degrees, to this small but holy exercise; nobody perceives it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little
internal adorations. Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of GOD the most he can, in the manner here directed; it is very fit and most necessary for a soldier, who is daily exposed to dangers of life, and often of his salvation. I hope that GOD will assist him and all the family, to whom I present my service, being theirs and yours.
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