The Second Tuesday of Easter

Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 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.

Sometimes Jesus’ parables and symbolic language can confuse us. However, he does not speak figuratively to confuse us. He speaks figuratively because he knows it is easier for us to comprehend worldly things than heavenly ones. Because of this, he gives us parables and symbolic comparisons as stepping stones to help us understand the spiritual truths he is speaking about. We might not always comprehend what he is telling us, but he makes it as clear as he can through the limitations of our language. Of course, the greatest symbol he gives us is not to be found in a parable, but rather in the story of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The cross and empty tomb are lifted up before us so that everyone has the opportunity to believe and have eternal life.

Do we accept Jesus’ testimony to the truth about heavenly things? If so, then how does that change the way we live our lives? Do our lives testify to the truth?

O Lord, may we have eternal life in you.

Amen.