Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
1st READING
The bronze serpent on a pole foreshadowed the true cross of Christ that would become the source of our healing from the bites of the dragon, Satan, and his kingdom. As the Israelites only had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed, so do we look with faith at Christ who got crucified so we can be healed of our sins.
Numbers 21:4-9
4 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, they will live.” 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 lived.
PSALM
Psalm 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
R: 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. (R) 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. (R) 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. (R) 38 Yet he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not. Often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused. (R)
2nd READING
Jesus humbly subjected Himself to death for our sake, and God has exalted Him above every other name in heaven and on earth. Let us be confident in the power of the name and blood of Jesus who will free us from all evil. Satan and the powers of hell tremble at Jesus’ name and submit themselves to Him.
Philippians 2:6-11
6 Brothers and sisters: 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. 9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which 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.
GOSPEL
Jesus tells Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, that he cannot enter into the reign of God unless he is born again. The Father has entrusted His plan of salvation to the Son, and only with faith in Him can we be saved. In Jesus, God the Father reveals His heart of mercy and love.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
John 3:13-17
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.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that he 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.
Reflect: The Father gave His only son to save us. What are you willing to give up for Him?
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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
thank You, Lord, for:
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Read the Bible in one year - Psalms 101-105
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