Daily Readings for September 14, 2017

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

1ST READING

Difficult times and tragedies happen in our lives. When they occur, we look for signs or symbols, assurances or anchor points that will help us get through the struggle. The standard that Moses built becomes such a thing — to look upon it brings healing and deliverance from deadly snake bites. It is an image the Fathers of the Church will pick up and use to explain the meaning of Jesus’ cross in the Christian life.

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 have 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 lived.

P S A L M

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 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. (R)

2ND READING

Jesus submits willingly to the horrors of His passion and death because He knows that it will mean our salvation. If only we had the same depth of faith and trust in the Father’s will that He had, so many of our struggles would dissolve into nothing. Let us remember the example of Jesus the next time we encounter suffering on account of following Him. Let us persevere in our discipleship regardless of the cost in order to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel.

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 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.

GOSPEL

Jesus came to reveal to us the love of God our Father, not to condemn us for our sins. Let us concentrate on living a life of love and mercy, rather than worrying about all the difficulties and trials we have. Let us focus on the promise of eternal life, rather than the suffering we have to endure here and now.

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 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.