Rev. Beverly Gibson & Johnny Gwin discuss the lessons and readings from Laetare Sunday (fourth Sunday of Lent) covering the meaning of the Bronze Serpent of Numbers, our web of spiritual and physical connections in our lives, cosmic struggles, Oscar speeches, and God's grace. Rev. Gibson describes the ever-present, ever merciful love of God. Even when we act out of impatience and disobedience (like the Isrealites in the wilderness), God's loving response is grace and healing. In a world of struggle and sin, God collaborates with his followers personally and universally to raise us above the darkness and sin of the world. God did this by sending us the source of his "light", Jesus Christ. Jesus is the source of the deeds done in God in a world full of poisonous sin. Sending his only Son to be sacrificed on The Cross was not to condemn us but to save us from the snakes of our flaws and the ubiquitous "ruler of the air." We are not alone in this world and this is Good News. Why? Because all of life is a collaboration and God's mercy is our binding force and saving grace.

Readings

• Numbers 21:4-9
• Ephesians 2:1-10
• John 3:14-21

Pulpit to Pew is a conversation between priest and parishioner, to understand how the message translates and to explore further the weekly Sunday sermon and lessons within the Episcopal tradition and daily life.