Q. 232: What is this business about "looking at the bronze serpent" and living (Nm 21:4-9), after having been bitten by the poisonous serpent? Is this superstition?

A. 232: All three of today's readings are about Trust, among other things, and what happens when we fail to trust. The people in the desert were starting to complain, which is a clear sign of a lack of trust. So they were punished to "get their attention" - this was a salvific call to conversion and to change their attitude and behavior. To measure their trust, they had to look - with trust in God's promises - at the "most unlikely" source of their salvation, a serpent lifted up on a pole. It was not the serpent but the trust in God that was the focal point. Only if they trusted in those promises would they be saved.

In the second reading (Phil 2:6-11) we have another "most unlikely" source of salvation - a humbled, obedient human being called Jesus. He gave us an example of complete trust - he trusted that his Father in heaven would accept his humble sacrifice of Self on behalf of others who trusted in him - and he, too, was lifted up on a pole. Because of this, that very cross became the sign of his exaltation!

Finally, the gospel brings it all together in crystal clear language. Whoever believes and trusts in this Son of Man lifted up on a pole, a cross, would be saved. This pole or tree was the source of Jesus' exaltation, and was and is the source of our salvation, our bridge and entrance to eternal life. But only if we trust and believe!

Know Your Catechism! Have you ever thought about what your "impatience" may be costing you? Learn to have the patience of the persistent widow (Lk 18:1-8)(CCC #2613) for your own salvation! All Christians are called to follow this "narrow way of the cross" (CCC #853), and TRUST in God's promises.

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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