Today's Gospel - March 18, 2012 with Reflection

1^st READING - 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

P S A L M - Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

R: Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you.

2^nd READING - Ephesians 2:4-10

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

John 3:14-21

14 Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16For 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

SABBATH

BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME I was once a guidance counselor of a parochial school. Many students came to me having problems with their studies, not because they were dumb or bad, but because they didn’t feel affirmed, loved and accepted by their parents. Most of them say that when they get home, it’s as if no one has arrived. Married men and women would confess to me that they are tempted to have an affair not because they no longer love their spouses but simply because their spouses have become cold and inexpressive of their love. God understands our need. In today’s Gospel, God reassures us of His love for us. Listen to the Word of God saying to us, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (v.16). Today, we are reminded of Jesus’ love for us, a love that reached its climax on the cross. But you know what is so surprising with Jesus dying on the cross? Let me illustrate this with an experience of mine. When I was still a seminarian, I was assigned to do some apostolate in a home for unwed mothers. In that place I met women, some as young as 16, who were already pregnant, rejected and disowned. Most of them who came into the home felt they were garbage. But after delivering their baby, they leave the place totally renewed, feeling good about themselves. Why? Because during their stay in the home, some people dared to love them even in their most “unlovable” state. Jesus did not wait that we become good, holy and lovable before He loved us. In fact, it is because Jesus loves us that we started to be lovable and feel good about ourselves. When we look at the cross, let us be reminded of this love. Let us also be reminded not to postpone our acts of loving. Let us not wait for the people around us to become lovable before we love them. Let us love them now, and that will make the others more lovable. Or at least, this will make us dislike the other less. Fr. Joel Jason REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are there unlovable persons around you? Why not decide to love them now, one person at a time? Lord Jesus, grant me a loving and accepting heart. May I learn to love like You. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us. Do you want to receive this in your email?  To get Bo Sanchez to send it to you personally, log-on to http://kerygmafamily.com. Lots of surprises await.