Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Scriptures invite us to reflect on the profound themes of God’s mercy, grace, and the transformative power of His light in our lives. The readings today offer a narrative that echoes the persistent love of God despite human waywardness and the opportunity for redemption through faith in Christ.
The first reading from the Second Book of Chronicles reveals a painful episode in the history of God’s people. The princes, priests, and the entire community of Judah turned away from the Lord, adding infidelity upon infidelity. They not only abandoned God’s commandments but also defiled the sacred temple in Jerusalem. In response to their rebellion, the Lord, out of compassion, sent messengers early and often to guide them back to the path of righteousness. However, the people mocked, despised, and scoffed at these messengers, kindling the Lord’s anger to the point where there was no remedy.
The consequences were severe – the destruction of the temple, the burning of the house of God, and the exile of the people to Babylon. Yet, even in the midst of their disobedience, God’s mercy endured. The prophetic words of Jeremiah were fulfilled, and in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, God inspired him to proclaim the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This demonstrates the enduring mercy of God, who, even in the face of our waywardness, seeks our redemption and restoration.
In the second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul extols the richness of God’s mercy. We are reminded that it is by God’s grace, not by our works, that we have been saved. Paul underscores that salvation is a gift, freely given out of God’s great love for us. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works, and this call to live virtuously is a response to the grace we have received.
The Gospel according to John continues this theme, drawing a parallel between the lifting up of the serpent in the desert and the upcoming crucifixion of the Son of Man. Jesus emphasizes that just as Moses lifted up the serpent for the healing of the Israelites, so too will the Son of Man be lifted up for the salvation of the world. This lifting up is not for condemnation but for eternal life for all who believe.
The Gospel passage encapsulates the essence of God’s love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” This act of divine love transcends our understanding. God sent His Son not to condemn but to save the world through Him. The choice lies with us – to believe and embrace the light or to remain in darkness due to our wicked deeds.
The outcome is clear – those who believe in the Son of God are not condemned. However, those who reject the light, preferring darkness, are already condemned because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. The light has come into the world, and it reveals the truth of our actions. Those who live in the truth willingly come to the light, exposing their deeds as done in God. As we journey through this Lenten season, let us reflect on the mercy and grace God has lavished upon us. Let us recognize the moments when we, like the people of Judah, have turned away from God’s ways. Yet, in our shortcomings, let us be reassured by the unwavering love of our Heavenly Father, who sent His Son to be lifted up for our salvation. May we choose to live in the light, embracing the truth, and allowing our deeds to be seen as done in God.
May the grace of God transform our lives, and His light guide us on the path to eternal life.