John 3, 14-21:
Sunday, 14 March 2021 (4th Lent B)
This Sunday’s Gospel is a part of the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of the Law. He is the model of how a Jew understands salvation: by the literal fulfilment of the Law of Moses. Jesus makes him see that it is not that which saves, but the action of God, the love that He has for us. An unconditional and boundless love.
We are 15 days away from Palm Sunday. We are approaching the end of Lent, which leads us to the death and resurrection of Jesus, and it is possible that we still do not realise the great mystery of love that is contained in this action of God. Better God’s word than mine: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that none of those who believe in him might perish, but that they might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved” (from the Gospel of John). And St. Paul tells us: “God, rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, when we were dead because of our sins, has made us alive in Christ”.
If God acts in this way towards us, we should be grateful and reciprocate this love. Am I aware of this? Does this Lenten season help me to draw closer to the light of the Gospel? Is my life enlightened by this love of God?
We still have work to do before Easter.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
