Embedded Files
. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Lent 4 Yr B
Introduction
Introduction
For the Fourth Sunday in Lent, the "planners" did an excellent job of tying the Old and New Testament together. In Numbers, we learn that God showed the Israelites what it was like to "have it hard" by letting vipers (serpents) come into their community. Then God showed Moses the cure: a brass serpent on a staff. If the bitten Israelite looked on the staff, s/he would not die. Now look at the gospel. Yes, it is the beloved verse that "God so loved the world . . ." but so much more than that. Jesus, uplifted on the cross just as the serpent was uplifted on a staff in the desert, heals those who are bitten by the ills of the world. All we have to do is look to Jesus. Comments are welcome.
John 3:14-21
John 3:14-21
Jesus said, “Just 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.
From sermon4kids.com: “. . . Eternal life—what a gift! And all we have to do to receive it is believe . . .”
Scripture: March 10, 2024—Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B—Numbers 21:4–9 (image); Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22 (image); Ephesians 2:1–10 (image); and John 3:14–21 (image). A visual/oral journey through the scripture. Coloring page for Psalm 107.
Collect: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: What does the light of God’s truth reveal about your life? Are there parts of your life that you want to hide from God? Can you imagine what it would be like to live completely transparent to God’s piercing light?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
Rocks are symbols of Lent for many reasons. Jesus foiled Satan’s temptation to change rocks into bread before beginning His ministry. Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert which, in Israel, is a rocky, arid region. Jesus called St. Peter the “rock” when He said, “On this rock [Peter] I will build my Church.” Rocks are cold and unyielding. Scripture tells us that we need to exchange our stony hearts for hearts of flesh—in other words, our unfeeling spirit needs to become one that is soft and pliable, able to soothe, comfort, and love others.
The evangelists identified Jesus as the cornerstone, the foundation of our Faith. A familiar hymn calls God the “Rock of Ages” because He is eternal, never changing, our protecting shelter, and the foundation on which to build our lives.
from "The Symbols of Lent and Easter" website.
Eye Candy:
“The brazen serpent“, by Corrado Giaquinto;
“The crucifixion” by He Qi;
“Crucified tree form” by Theyre Lee-Elliott
Ear Worm:
“Christ is made the sure foundation” sung by congregation:
“Lift Jesus higher”, a happy song;
“Beneath the cross of Jesus“, sung by the Hastings College Choir;
"Lift up your heads" by G.F. Handel;
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates", gospel by United Voices Choir
Brain Food:
self-guided retreat by Suzanne Guthrie;
results of a poetry contest on “God so loved the world”;
“Fiery snakes and copper vipers”, reflection by John Holbert
Parables:
“Brother Sun, Sister Moon” (1972, PG), story of St. Francis and St. Clare, Review;
“Shipping News” (2001, R), "ripening of a weak-willed man after he is nourished by a place and some special people”, “we face up to the things we fear because we can’t go around them”, about how a difficult childhood affects one's adulthood, Review;
“Cast away” (2000, PG-13), “spiritual tale of man stranded on an island”, story of deserted man forced to cope with his place in the world, Review.
And, here's ten movies with heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice.
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; craft;
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin; craft
For youth: Do you know the book “Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” (or the movie based on it)? Alexander of the book could have been one of the Israelites in the Old Testament story from Numbers—the Israelites were NOT having a good time and they complained to Moses and God. To help the children of Israel to learn a lesson, God sent snakes. And if they were bitten, they died. God also gave them healing—a serpent image wrapped around a pole, held high. When a bitten person looked on the pole, s/he was healed. Take this story apart to learn. What do we do to surround ourselves with snakes? When we are bitten, how do we heal? It’s also important to tie this lesson to the gospel in which Jesus on the cross is compared to the staff wrapped by a snake uplifted for healing. (Informed by Worshiping with children blogspot.) Feel free to comment.
The Old Testament contains accounts of God saving the people at various times in their history. We remember those times during Lent as a part of our preparation to celebrate the ultimate salvation of all people in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The story of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness continues today. Again the people complain about hunger and thirst and rebel against God. They are set upon by poisonous serpents. Moses intercedes with God and is directed to make a bronze serpent. When the people look at the serpent they are saved.
The Gospel reading is John’s account of Jesus’ predicting his death. He likens his crucifixion to the event in today’s Old Testament reading. He promises that he has come not to condemn the world but to save it. Only those who reject this message and the light of God given by Jesus are in danger of being lost.
The reading today from Ephesians announces that in his resurrection and ascension, Jesus has raised us who know him by faith into the new life of God. It is in Baptism that we have become part of that new life and have received the grace which saves us.
The most consistent message in Holy Scripture is God’s love and repeated interventions in history to bring about redemption. As we move nearer to Easter we are led by means of Word and Sacraments to a deepening realization that God is still redeeming us. Let us remember today those who will be baptized at Easter, who are joining us in the journey of the redeemed to God.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse