Fourth Sunday of Lent
To fully understand this week’s Gospel passage, it is important to take the first reading into consideration as well. The account from 2 Chronicles describes the way in which the people began to neglect their relationship with God. Despite prophets and messengers being sent to them, they turned their backs on God. At about this time the Israelites were conquered, the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed and the survivors taken into exile in Babylon. For many, this was seen as a punishment from God because of their neglectful and selfish behaviour. But the reading demonstrates God’s infinite patience with humankind. God gives the people another chance and calls on them to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. God is willing to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.
It is in this context that we must understand the Gospel passage. In it we hear what is, perhaps, the most famous verse in the New Testament. From John’s third chapter of his Gospel we hear, “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” (John 3:16) In yet another attempt to demonstrate love and forgiveness, God’s only Son – the Word made Flesh – is sent into the world to lead the people from darkness to light. Despite the many, many attempts by God to demonstrate love and foster a relationship with humankind, the people have repeatedly rejected the relationship with God and preferred to live a life of selfishness and darkness. Yet we see through both of these readings the forgiving and loving nature of God who keeps giving humankind one more chance.
In our day to day relationships, we often seek to test the limits of the love that is expressed towards us. Young people in particular, often test the boundaries of their parents’ love and the boundaries of others who care for them. Sometimes even teachers! It is often a test to reassure themselves of this love – will you still love me, even if I do this? Sunday’s readings portray the people of God as adolescents constantly testing out the limits of God’s love. In a remarkable act, God’s own Son is sent into the world to die as a sign of the lengths to which God will go to assure humanity of the love that is theirs for the taking.
The Gospel passage tells us that God’s Son was not sent into the world to condemn it, but rather, ‘so that through him the world might be saved’. It also tells us that whoever refuses to believe ‘is already condemned’. God does not condemn the world, nor individuals within it. Indeed, God is absolutely determined to save the world. However, we do sometimes condemn ourselves. When we turn our back on love; when we hide from relationships; when we wallow in selfishness – we shut ourselves off from our relationship with God and condemn ourselves. We only have to open our eyes to see the alternative!
Our Gospel reading speaks about people and actions that are ‘of the darkness’ and ‘of the light’. What are some actions in our world today that are ‘of the darkness’ and ‘of the light’? I’m sure you can think of many. What are some actions ‘of the light’ that we can take on that would make a difference in other people’s lives? This is what Lent is about – not just giving something up but taking something up in the service of others. Being the light in the darkness. It is this spirit of giving and sacrifice that Jesus modelled and that brings us closer in relationship to Him.
Prayer for Lent
Let us pray that as we continue the season of Lent we embrace the opportunity to:
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill our hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so we can listen.
We pray that our only desire and our one choice is to choose what better leads to the deepening of God’s life in us.
We ask the Lord to guide our actions and to bless the St Ursula’s Community with His peace, His joy, His love.
Amen
