The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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The Serpent and the Cross

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John 3:14-21

It seems as though snakes or serpents have gotten a bad rap throughout history, most especially in scripture.  Yet, maybe it is with good reason.  Out of all of God’s land animals it is probably the least like man.  It slithers on the ground without limbs.  It lays eggs and abandons the nest.  It depends on external sources for body heat.  They are very different than us and this may be the reason they have been so maligned.

In Genesis the very face of evil is on a serpent.  We must note that the use of the word serpent in this instance really does not denote a simple snake.  The image in the original language would connote to the reader the image of a large, dangerous, dragon-like creature.  This would also more readily explain Adam’s reluctance to protect the garden and his wife.

In today’s first reading we once again see the serpent.  In fact, this creature is shown as not only the inflictor of pain but as a punishment for the sins of God’s people, “..with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses.”

What does God do when the people cry out for mercy?  He doesn't demand sacrifice.  He doesn't demand penance.  What does God do?  He had them make a bronze serpent, attach it to a pole, and place it in the midst of the people as a cure.  The very image of that thing which was a moment before the curse of the people, now becomes the cure.

“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  Here Jesus does something fascinating that should not be lost on us.  He shows us that first of all, he is the new Moses who will intercede for God’s people.  He is the new Moses who is leading God’s people out of slavery, out of the desert, and into the Promised Land.

Secondly, he is showing us that He will take upon himself the very image of that which is causing our death: sin.  Here, Our Lord and Savior, in speaking of the desert serpent story, most closely associates himself with the serpent, with the cause of our death.  How can this be?  Saint Paul, in his letter to the Philippians,  gives the answer, “Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself taking the form of a slave and coming in human likeness; and found in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:6-8)

God in his humility and mercy took upon himself the venom of the ancient serpent.  He allowed himself to be bitten for our offences.  He allowed Himself to be lifted up on the Cross so as to affect a cure for his people.  In one swift move at the Crucifixion, Jesus takes upon Himself sin in order for sin to be put to death; He becomes the new Moses in order to lead His people into the promised land of Heaven; and He becomes the eternal High Priest and sacrificial offering: offering Himself, the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

As today we draw ever closer to Good Friday, the day when the cross of our Salvation is lifted up, let us look upon the source of our salvation.  Let us look upon the Crucifix and see how the ancient venom was destroyed.  Let us look at the Holy Cross and see the death of sin and the beginning of a new and everlasting life.

 From the Saints
"The two greatest banners that were ever unfurled were the uplifted serpent and the uplifted Savior.  And yet there was an infinite difference between them.  The theater of one was the desert, and the audience a few thousand Israelites; the theater of the other was the universe and the audience, the whole of mankind.  From the one came a bodily healing, soon to be undone again by death; from the other flowed soul-healing; unto life everlasting." - Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (The Life of Christ)

For more meditations on the Crucifix take a look at this book by James M. Hahn - They Shall Look Upon Him Whom they have Pierced: Meditations on the Crucifix.

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