4th Sunday of Lent

In today’s Gospel (John 3:14-21), we heard that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This is why the crucifix is supposed to be in the sanctuary of every Catholic Church throughout the world. It is the sign of God’s great love for us, despite our sinfulness. God does not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain (and sometimes even snow!), but he does promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

That is Saint Paul’s message in our Second Reading (Ephesians 2:4-10). “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ… by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God…” Does this mean that obedience to God’s Law – all those Do’s and Don’ts – is unimportant? Of course not! God’s Law instructs us on how we are to respond to the free gift of God’s love. It is out of God’s great love for us that he has given us his Law that we might live in a way that honors and glorifies him.

Jesus, who hangs on the Cross to show us God’s love, says elsewhere (John 8:12) – “I am the light of the world.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that our eternal destiny is being determined, even now, by how we react to his light: “Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works might be clearly seen as done in God.” Are you walking in the light of Jesus love? Or do you fear his light because of what it might reveal in the dark corners of your life that you try to keep hidden? Jesus invites us to step into his light, seek his forgiveness for the sins that are illuminated by his truth and goodness, and live as true children of God for that is what we are. The eternal destiny of each of us is being determined by our response to the light, and love, of Jesus Christ. He is waiting for your response, right now.