NUMBERS 21:4-9; PSALM 102; JOHN 8:21-30
“Who are you?” This question is at the heart of today’s gospel. The hearers of Jesus could not understand his teaching and his identity. They were puzzled if he is the messiah or a prophet. But in answering the question, Jesus revealed both his identity and their identity. He says “you are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.” Thus, the question: “who are you?” speaks of “who we are?” Beloved, Jesus wants us to be conformed to the patterns of heaven. If we are not heavenly minded we cannot understand who Jesus is. On the other hand, to be carnally minded is death. Precisely because of this Jesus says in the gospel “I told you that you would die in your sins”. Beloved, we must look up to be lifted up; the Israelites looked up to the bronze serpent and were saved. We too must look up to Jesus; we must be spiritually minded in order to understand that Jesus is God.
LET US PRAY
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, teach us to be heavenly minded and transform us that we may grow deeper in spiritual knowledge that profits for eternity. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
