In today's first reading Moses, following God's command, mounts a bronze serpent on a pole and carries it through the desert. The people who had been bitten by actual snakes would look at this bronze serpent and be healed and live.
In the Gospel Jesus says "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM."
Like the serpent on the pole, Jesus on the cross has the power to save us. Think about how the Israelites must have looked at that bronze serpent with awe and amazement. They could be bit by poisonous snakes and be healed. How powerful was their God and how great His love for them!
How much more so does God show His love in dying for us! May we treasure the image of Christ being raised up on the cross and realize more fully the hope that that comes from this act of love.
