Have Eternal Life September 14

“Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.” Numbers 21:8

He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8

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. John3:14-15

Piety

Dear Jesus,

We count on your love and forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross to atone for our sins. By your sacrifice, you secured eternal life for us.

I confess that I am a sinner before God. I acknowledge that by your death and sacrifice that you have paid the penalty of my sins for me. Please come into my heart and become the Lord of my life. I will follow you and you can count on me.

As you gave your life for us, we will give our lives over to you, take up our cross and follow you. Not according to our own will, but to follow Your perfect will for our life. In your name we give honor, praise and glory. Amen.

Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/091406.shtml

Saraph (שרף) , is the name of the biblical snake (also called a “fiery serpent”) in popular English translations: "And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole". Numbers Chapter 21

As you can see in the picture, the image of the snake on a staff reminds us of the image of the cross. Thus the story from the Hebrew Bible today is not only a recollection of humanity’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden at the wily ends of a serpent but it also is prophetically predicting Christ on the Cross – fitting for the reading on the day a new Cursillo Weekend will begin.

The saraph serpents are none other than the obstacles to God’s grace that distract us and “bite” us every day at every opportunity. However, in the story from Numbers, whoever looks at the raised saraph on Moses staff recovers and is saved.

Through the cross, Jesus conquered not only sin but also death. Despite his execution, he lives! So the heart of our faith is that we believe that whoever follows the raised Christ, is healed and has everlasting life. This is promised in the Good News according to St. John when Jesus explains to Nicodemus during his late night lesson in theology of resurrection: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” John 3:14-15

Action

The raised staff with intertwined snakes has become the symbol for doctors and dentists. They have adopted its healing symbolism without the accompanying religious meaning. Jesus is here to heal whatever afflicts us. We just need to ask Him.

To mark the Exaltation of the Cross and the start of the 113th Men’s Cursillo, take out your cross from your weekend and wear it today.

Are you ready to meet Jesus with the same zeal you had when you completed your weekend experience? What have you done with the gifts that He has given to you?

Today, He encourages us to consider the cost of the cross and to apply it to our own lives. Christ is counting on you! Are you still counting on Christ?