Salvation Depends on Belief in Jesus’ Divinity – Apr 08 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence
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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Apr 08, 2025, on how Jesus teaches that belief in his divinity is essential for salvation, using the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of his crucifixion.
Father explores Jesus’ dispute with the Jews, emphasizing that belief in his divinity—“I am” (John 8: 24)—is vital for salvation, or they “will die in their sins.” He cites St. Augustine, noting Christ’s foreknowledge (John 8: 21-24) of those who wouldn’t repent, yet some later believed. This echoes Jonah’s warning to Nineveh (Jonah 3: 4), urging repentance. Father ties this to the bronze serpent in Numbers 21: 8-9, lifted by Moses to heal the bitten Israelites, prefiguring Christ’s crucifixion (John 3: 14-15). The Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 16: 6-7) explains they were saved by God’s Logos—Christ, the Word (John 1: 1)—not the serpent itself, symbolizing victory over the devil, a fallen seraph (Isaiah 14: 12 implied).
Christ’s words, “When you lift up the Son of Man” (John 8: 28), connect his cross to this sign, revealing his divine nature (CCC 213). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59: 2 implied), but the cross shows divine love (John 3: 16), moving many Jews to faith at Pentecost (Acts 2: 41), with 3,000 baptized, later 5,000 (Acts 4: 4). St. Paul notes their leaders’ ignorance (1 Corinthians 2: 8), and Jesus pleads, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23: 34). Father urges meditating on Christ’s Passion (CCC 618), seeking Mary’s guidance, to embrace this salvation.
For further reading:
- John 8: 24 - NAB - Belief in Christ’s Divinity - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?24
- Numbers 21: 8-9 - NAB - The Bronze Serpent Healing - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/21?8
- John 3: 14-15 - NAB - Son of Man Lifted Up - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?14
- Wisdom 16: 6-7 - NAB - Salvation by God’s Word - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/16?6
- Acts 2: 41 - NAB - Pentecost Conversion of Thousands - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?41
- Luke 23: 34 - NAB - Jesus’ Prayer for Forgiveness - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/23?34
- 1 Corinthians 2: 8 - NAB - Ignorance of Christ’s Glory - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/2?8
- John 1: 1 - NAB - Christ as the Word - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?1
- Catechism of the Catholic Church #213 - Christ’s Divine Identity - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/213.htm
- Catechism of the Catholic Church #618 - Participation in Christ’s Sacrifice - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/618.htm
00:00 – Gospel Introduction
00:28 – Christ’s Warning
01:17 – Divinity Belief
02:23 – Bronze Serpent
03:09 – Christ’s Healing
04:21 – Cross Prefigured
05:13 – Lifted Up
06:15 – Crucifixion Impact
Ave Maria!
Mass: Tuesday 5th Week of Lent - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040825.cfm
1st: num 21:4-9
Resp: psa 102:2-3, 16-21
Gsp: joh 8:21-30
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1679
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