In the gospel today we are reminded once again that everything is a matter of perspective.
Jesus says a very simple declarative sentence.
When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM
What is the lifting up? Crucifixion. That’s right Jesus refers to his murder as a lifting up. Jesus turns it all upside down.
- Jesus is I AM, that is, God.
- the Cross is His thrown.
- the. Crucifixion is his Exaltation, his lifting up over the people.
Some people will ask why we Catholics wear crucifixes, why we have them hanging everywhere.
Blame St. John. It is his Gospel above all that transforms the image of death into an image of healing and life.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
We should be very careful before we judge some event in our lives as good or bad, blessing or curse. Truth is, we can never be sure.
Perhaps rather than labeling a situation, the best thing we can do is hold on tight to our faith, trust that Jesus is with us in every moment, and know that with him we will not only get through but come out better.
