SOCL, Holy CrossC

Sunday September 14, 2025

See

People undergoing counselling and therapy sometimes have a block or memory, which is holding them back, usually an earlier difficult experience of some kind. Something like that is happening in the Old Testament folk tale of the bronze serpents: the power of the serpents to cause harm is taken away once they are confronted straight in the eye, through the symbol of the bronze serpent. We may say the same of Jesus as he faced death for us. Being lifted up for our sake, he looked death in the eye and took away its power over us.

Listen

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78 (77); Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

Reflect

(John 3:13-17)

In John’s Gospel the lifting up of Jesus on the cross is the climax of the revelation of God’s love for us. How has the cross spoken to you of the love we have been shown in Jesus?

Jesus says the purpose of his life is that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. In what ways has faith given you life and vitality?

Jesus said that he was sent to save and not to condemn. Remember what has helped you to see God as one who is fundamentally on your side in life, a God to be trusted and relied on rather than feared.

In presenting the purpose of his life as salvation rather than condemnation, Jesus tells us something about the purpose of every human life. It is to be lifegiving, rather than destructive of life. Recall times your life was enriched by the words or actions of another. Remember also when you were able to do the same for another person.

Pray

Lifted up among us, O God, is Jesus the crucified: sign of your steadfast love and pledge of your will to save. To those who look upon the cross with faith, grant healing of soul and life eternal. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.