Fourth Sunday in Lent - 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

03-10-2024Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

GROW: “The floor is lava!” We used to play this game as children, and it still seems popular today: you arrange furniture and other objects in such a way as to make it from point to point, and even room to room, without touching the floor. There may be more than one way to go, but the crux of the matter is that you have to use these waypoints to stay alive in the game. Following Jesus is somewhat similar, although obviously infinitely more serious and important! He himself, through his sacrifice on the cross, opened the doors of salvation to us – he has provided the ways and means to live free from death. His sacrifice is the only thing that makes it possible for us to enter heaven. In other words, he has arranged the spiritual furniture, made clear those waypoints, and, differing from children who play the lava game, is ready and willing to help us at any time to move safely and confidently along the journey. St Paul writes, “we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.”

GO:  St Paul also writes, “by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.” And in today’s Gospel, St. John writes these words we know so well. “For 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.” Both testaments include words of comfort, but John here also includes a call to action. Notice the word “might.” Like “may,” which is found in other translations, it indicates possibility, probability, and contingency. In other words, it is offered – freely given! – but we must accept. And acceptance means, just as the prophets shared with the Israelites, we need to follow God’s commands. It means that in our words and deeds we act from and in love of God and love of one another. For “whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

ENGAGE: Today we are about halfway through Lent. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the rich opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross with your family, do so this week. Most parishes pray the stations on Fridays during Lent, and perhaps other days as well. This ancient tradition of our Church is a beautiful and meaningful way to walk the Way of the Cross with our Lord.

We adore you, O Christ, and bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the whole world.

 

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