Taddeo Gaddi, Allegory of the Cross, Santa Croce, Florence, 1330s
And just 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 (NRSV, John: 3:14-15).
Gospel: John 3:14-21
Let us pray.
Father, from Jesus we have learned that every moment of human existence is a call to die to what are, and have been up to that moment, and to accept the gift of new life. Jesus’ physical death on the Cross is but the summing up of what was every moment in his life and what every moment should be in every human’s life.
Whenever we stop and look back, wondering who or what put us into a particular situation, we are lost. It is only when we look ahead and up, into the future, and ask ourselves what we must do to make this moment, often seemingly so dark and bleak, into blessing for ourselves and others, that the saving reality of the moment, every moment, becomes clear.
The Israelites, on their journey into freedom, paused, murmured, and looked back: all seemed lost. It was only when they were ready once again to look ahead and up, that the journey could recommence.
Father, may we always look to you who are our Future and, in every moment, accept your life more fully into our own, that the cross of the moment, death, may open to resurrection, with blessing for ourselves and others.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Whenever we stop and look back, wondering who or what put us into a particular situation, we are lost. It is only when we look ahead and up, into the future, and ask ourselves what we must do to make this moment, often seemingly so dark and bleak, into blessing for ourselves and others, that the saving reality of the moment, every moment, becomes clear.
The Israelites, on their journey into freedom, paused, murmured, and looked back: all seemed lost. It was only when they were ready once again to look ahead and up, that the journey could recommence.
Father, may we always look to you who are our Future and, in every moment, accept your life more fully into our own, that the cross of the moment, death, may open to resurrection, with blessing for ourselves and others.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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