And 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.

What are we being asked to believe in?  A God who took on human flesh so he would be capable of suffering, of showing us the way, that is, the way of the cross.  His way of the cross becomes the mysterious reason behind all human history.  His paschal offering is truly offered in the fullness of time.  And our participation in the cross becomes a means of unspeakable freedom.

We are being asked to believe in an almost unbelievable love.  Not as passive observers but as active participants as well.  Yet this is impossible without prayer.  If that is the case, then surely Jesus would have taught us how to pray to be loving.  And indeed, upon reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer it seems the only clear requirement of us in that prayer is to forgive.  “As we forgive those who have sinned against us.”  Forgiveness, then, seems to be at the heart of love.  Forgiveness is the meaning of the cross.  “That all may be saved who look upon it.”  Forgiveness flows from the side of Christ’s pierced body, “pierced for our offenses.”

Saved, but saved for what?  Forgiven, but forgiven to what end?  Eternal life.  “That whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”  Is it too much to believe that this new life is intended to begin now?  Indeed, it has already begun for the one who forgives, and whose flesh is crucified to the world for the sake of his brothers, that they, too, might know the way to freedom.