Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections Feast of the Triumph of the Cross A September 14, 2014 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1 st reading: Numbers 21,4b-9 4b With their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!" 6 In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." 9 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. The focus is on the bronze serpent.

1 st reading: Numbers 21,4b-9 People complain 4b With their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!“ God punishes 6 In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. People ask Moses to pray for them 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." Moses prays and the Lord’s response So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." Moses obeys, people recover 9 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. A simple outline!

1 st reading: Numbers 21,4b-9 People complain 4b With their patience worn out by the journey, 5 the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!“ God punishes 6 In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Commentary V.4b explains why the people complain. They have no more patience, because of the long journey. V.5 the people direct their complaint against Moses and God. They don’t like where they are: in the desert where there is no food, there is no water. They don’t see the reason why they should be there. They are only passing by that place en route to the promised land. In v.6, God punishes them for their narrow-mindedness by sending saraph serpents (fiery serpents). Many of the people die.

1 st reading: Numbers 21,4b-9 People ask Moses to pray for them 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." Moses prays and the Lord’s response So Moses prayed for the people, 8 and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." Moses obeys, people recover 9 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. In v.7, the people repent. They recognize their fault (sin). They ask Moses to intercede for them. Moses is an intercessor for the people, even for the Pharaoh before. In v.7b, Moses intercedes for them to God to remove the deadly serpents away from them. In v.8, God orders Moses to make a saraph and mount it on a pole for the people to see, so that they may recover. In v.9, Moses obeys God and makes a serpent made of metal (bronze). V.9b indicates that the bronze serpent is effective.

Reflections on the 1 st reading God does not tolerate unreasonable complaints. God does not give in to the illegitimate demands of the people who have traveled much and gotten exhausted. To God, there is no going back to Egypt where there is plenty of food. That is moot and academic. God challenges his people to move on. They should overcome their hunger and boredom and believe in a better future.

Reflections, con’t The first reading reveals a pattern in which God shows his mercy. People commit sin. They are punished by God. When in pain, they cry out to God for mercy. Then God saves them. This will be the same pattern in the book of the Judges. We also experience the same pattern in our lives.

Reflections, con’t Since it is the feast of the exaltation/ triumph of the cross, we focus on the bronze serpent. The raising of the bronze serpent for all to see is a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Christ for our salvation.

Resp. Ps. 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38 R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord! 1 Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter mysteries from of old. 34 While he slew them they sought him and inquired after God again, 35 Remembering that God was their rock and the Most High God, their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues, 37 Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they faithful to his covenant. 38 But he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; Often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused.

Resp. Ps. 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38 R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord! 1 Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter mysteries from of old. 34 While he slew them they sought him and inquired after God again, 35 Remembering that God was their rock and the Most High God, their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues, 37 Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they faithful to his covenant. 38 But he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; Often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused. Commentary The psalm is classified as historical psalm, Royal Psalm of the King, or Wisdom Psalm. In v.1, the psalmist (teacher, sage) appeals to the people to listen to him. The teacher is going to teach a parable and reveal some mysteries in the past. V.2 V.34 remembers the death of the Israelites in the desert in the book of Numbers, because of their sins. Some realize their sins and repent, they go back to God. V.35 Their sins are: flattering, lying, being unsteadfast in their love, unfaithful to the covenant. Vv V.38 tell of God’s mercy and forgiveness. God here does not destroy them in spite of their being insincere.

Reflections on the Psalm God is merciful and forgiving. Even if we are sinful and rebellious, God still forgives us. We should take his mercy and love as an invitation to be faithful to God and the covenant. We must leave a good legacy when we die.

2 nd reading: Philippians 2,6-11 Christ emptying (kenosis) 6 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Christ exaltation 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. A simple outline! The focus is on the dying on a cross.

2 nd reading: Philippians 2,6-11 Christ emptying (kenosis) 6 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Commentary V.6 tells us that Christ Jesus is God, yet he did not remain to be in the form of God. V.7 tells us that Christ voluntarily emptied himself of his God-ness. Now he takes the form of a slave (lowest class of human status). He becomes fully human. In vv.7b-8, as if being human was not enough, Christ even humbled himself unto death, not just an ordinary death, but death on a cross. There is no other more humiliating way to die than to die like a criminal or to die stripped off even of his dignity or his humanity (total kenosis)

2 nd reading: Philippians 2,6-11 Christ exaltation 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. V.9 immediately reverts the fate of Christ. God intervenes at Jesus’ lowest level. God exalts him. He bestows him a name, not just an ordinary name, but a name that makes all knees bend in heaven, earth and under the earth. V.10 makes all tongues confess his pre-eminence. V.11 All these are done for the glory of God the Father.

Reflections on the 2 nd reading The cross is the center of the passage. Christ’s incarnation finds its ultimate fulfillment, completeness or perfection in his crucifixion. Also, in the cross is the start of Christ’s exaltation. Jesus cannot move farther down, but through God’s intervention, he goes up. God is pleased with Jesus’ total obedience so that he awarded his Son with something (a name) that has never been given to anyone (a name that commands respect and fear).

Gospel reading: John 3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. The focus is on the crucifixion of Christ.

Gospel reading: John 3,13-17 Parallelism of the bronze serpent and Christ on the cross 13 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." God’s love through his Son 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. A simple outline! The focus is on the crucifixion of Christ.

Gospel reading: John 3,13-17 Parallelism of the bronze serpent and Christ on the cross 13 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." God’s love through his Son 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Commentary V.13 talks of a Christian logic. “The one who goes up to heaven is the one who comes down from heaven.” This is the Son of Man. V.14 interprets the lifting up (going up) of the Son of Man as the lifting up of the serpent in the desert by Moses. Jesus’ lifting up at Mt. Calvary brings salvation to those who believe (not just those who see).

Gospel reading: John 3,13-17 Parallelism of the bronze serpent and Christ on the cross 13 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." God’s love through his Son 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. V.16 adds meaning to the crucifixion of Jesus. His crucifixion is God’s love for the world. V.16 also invites people to believe in crucified Jesus, to have eternal life. V.17 states God’s purpose in sending his Son, (to die): to save the world, through his Son.

Reflections on the gospel reading The cross is a Christian paradox (victory over defeat) par excellence. The cross is where contradictions converge. While it is a symbol of utter humiliation (going down), it is also a symbol of lifting up (exaltation). Both movements are salvific. Both movements reveal God’s love. Take note, Christians, if you are not willing “to die on the cross,” you will never become a leader. Those who “reject defeat” to preserve their “honor” or to make their “importance” felt cannot identify themselves with the crucified Christ. They are utter failure. They should not lead the church or have influence on it.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading talks about the fiery serpents and the lifting of the bronze serpent on a pole. The psalm talks about God’s mercy on sinners. The second reading talks about the death of Jesus on a cross and God exalting him. The gospel reading talks about the Son of Man being lifted up, like the serpent in the desert. We should focus our sharing and homilies on the triumph of the cross.

How to develop your homily / sharing We who are headstrong always want to win. We never accept defeat, even if in fact we are already defeated. We do not accept death, even if it is already near. The cross of Christ reminds us that we Christians must reject this mentality.

The second reading teaches us that there is no other way to attain victory than the defeat of our capricious selves and bloated egos. We Christians must not see defeat as a big setback in our apostolate. Rather, our defeat is already our advancement towards eternal life.

The gospel reading presents the salvific value of the cross. It is through the wooden cross that Christ has gained salvation for us. It is through it that we attain salvation from Christ. Faith is necessary to see the wisdom of the cross.

The first reading may be interpreted as foreshadowing the efficacity of the crucifixion of Christ, as he is lifted up on the cross. The bronze serpent which is lifted up by Moses on a pole brings salvation to those who are bitten by the snakes. God’s forgiveness is felt through the cross. In God’s forgiveness, we are given new life.

All Christians must be taught about the meaning of the cross. In fact, we are identified by other great religions by the symbol of the cross. It should not be treated as a decoration only. It should remind us of our long journey towards life eternal.

The eucharist at the Last Supper is the preview of Christ’s crucifixion. The eucharist is the giving of Christ’s total self to all of us who believe in him. The crucifixion of Christ deepens the meaning of the institution of the eucharist. The eucharist challenges us to embrace the paschal mystery.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Broken cross (hippie) Cross as decorations Executioners Desire of winning a senseless war National pride Fighting spirit Different kinds of crosses Theology of the cross Theology of suffering Theology of struggle. Soteriology.

Suggested Songs Five Wounds When we eat, new, Marcojos