It’s not too often that we find ourselves in a truly “life or death” situation – thanks be to God! Today’s Old Testament reading records a frightful day in the life of Israel when many of her people died from venomous snakes as punishment for their disobedience to the Lord. But in His mercy, the Lord relented and provided the people with a miraculous antidote. Our Gospel reading proclaims Jesus Christ to be the ultimate (and only) antidote for sin and death. The whole human race faces a spiritually “life or death” situation, and Jesus is the cure.