*HOMILY, MONDAY OF THE TWENTY- FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR ( A)
R1:- Numbers 21:4b-9
PS:- 78:1-2.34-35.36-37.38(R.7b)
R2:- Philippians 2:6-11
Accl:- We adore you, O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Gosp:- John 3:13-17
(Today’s feast celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This church is one of the most important shrines in the world since it is believed to have been erected on the spot where the Lord was crucified and was buried. Today we celebrate the centrality of the cross in our Christian life and its saving power for us who believe.) Daily Missal.
Though Jesus died once for all for our sins, we must atone for every sin we commit.
Having saved the Israelites from Egypt, the land of slavery, their grumbling brought death upon them. It was those who looked up to the bronze serpent that survived the consequence of their sins.
Consequently, the Lord said in today’s gospel, ” *as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”*
Sin reduces us and a times, it kills. The death of Jesus is the remedy. It works only for those who run to the foot of the cross. Though the Lord died for sinners, it is only those follow him that will always receive the life that his death brings.
It was only those who saw the bronze serpent that lived. We can’t take it for granted that we have been saved after an altar call and go no further.
The blood that was shed upon the cross for our sins promises life to those who are ready to live out the life in it. The power of the cross is derived from the one who was hung upon it, Jesus the Lord. When we mirror our lives after his patterns, we will surely be saved.
PRAYER*
Signed with the sign of the cross, may we be protected from all evil and may we gain life eternal. Amen.
