As we grow in the spiritual life, one thing today’s gospel compels us to do is to reflect on what it means to be lifted up.
In the gospel today, Jesus reminds us of the passage in the Old Testament when Moses created a bronze serpent and lifted it up on a pole. In their time of wandering—and complaining—in the desert, many Israelites were bitten by snakes and lost their life. They asked God to help them.
God told Moses to create the bronze serpent so that when the people looked at the image of the very thing that bit them, their life would be saved. And it happened, just like he said it would.
Jesus says he will be lifted up, too, “so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” What Jesus was referring to was being lifted up on the cross. And so, when we look at the crucifix as Catholics, we not only see it as the very thing that took Jesus’ life, we see beyond it. We also see Jesus resurrected and lifted up right into the hands of our Father in heaven.
Jesus on the cross is what saves us and brings us into eternal life. And so, in our Catholic churches, we put the crucifix on a pole and lift it high so all of us can see it whenever we gather to give God thanks.
And that, in turn, lifts us up every time we’re together. Jesus gives each of us the gift of a life with God that’s never meant to end.
Lifting Up Our Hearts
This Thursday evening from 7-9 PM, Deacon Allen Tatara will present “Adore & Worship”. This is an opportunity to come and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament through music, silence, inspirational reflections, and praise. Any time we spend in front of the Eucharist is a profound way to lift up our hearts to the Lord.
Our music director, Ed Magistrado, is looking to organize a new choir for the 12:15 PM Mass. If God has given you the gift of music—singing, playing an instrument, or both!—consider being a part of it. It’s a great way not only to lift up your own hearts, but the hearts of the faithful.
St. Hubert is blessed by our Helping Hands Ministry. It works two ways. Parishioners who are in need are able to call us if they’d like a helping hand with things like running an errand, getting a ride to an appointment, helping balance a checkbook, setting a budget, and so much more. Providing the extra hand are our own parishioners who feel called to do random acts of kindness in the spirit of helping one another. Right now we’re in need of people to join the Helping Hands team. We’ve got a lot of requests for help, but can use some extra hands to keep up with the demand. If you’re interested, please contact the parish office or sign up on our website. (Select the “Ministries” menu and then click on “Helping Hands.”) Giving a helping hand is an amazing way to help lift someone up.
May the cross of Christ—the great icon of faith, hope and love—be our inspiration,