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Scripture

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

- John 3:14-16 (KJV)

Interpretation

While man can scarcely keep what belongs to him by nature, Christ gives the grace of sonship through the Cross.

+ St Kosmas Aitolos

Application

The holy Fathers declare that "anyone who truly wants to be saved should first live with poeple and endure annoyances, slights, privations, and humiliations, and be freed from the influence of his feelings and senses, and only then go into complete solitude or silence. This our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated even in His own case. For it was only after enduring all this that He finally mounted the Holy Cross, which means the mortification of the flesh and passions and holy and perfect peace."

+ St Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Arena, Ch. 6: "God Pleasing Life in Human Society Must Precede God-Pleasing Life in Silence and Solitude"