Fourth Sunday of Lent: B: March 10, 2024

 THE UNENDING LOVE OF GOD FOR HUMANKIND

First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36: 14-16 and 19-23

Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10

Gospel Reading: John 3: 14-21

   *First reading is from the second book of Chronicles. Details of the conquest of Israel by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon is described. Jerusalem temple is totally destroyed by the invading army. The people of Israel are taken to Babylon as captives. They suffer much for over sixty years under Babylon. The Lord God shows mercy and kindness on His chosen people and kindles their hope of liberation when Cyrus becomes the King of Babylon. Through an edict, Cyrus frees them from their slavery and shame.  

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Ephesus and us that God has shown great love and mercy to us. He emphasizes the gratuitousness of the gift of faith we have received. He cautions us not to take our salvation as the fruit of our works but as a result of God's grace working in us. 

God sent His Son Jesus                                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The wonderful and great love of God for humankind is expressed by John. The primary meaning of the passage speaks about our life after death. It gives us an assurance of a continuation of our life after death: That is eternal life. The secondary meaning of this passage tells us about our eternal life even now with the coming of Jesus, the Son of God. God sent His beloved Son to be with us every moment of our lives. If we believe in Jesus, we will live with Him. Through our life united with Jesus, we receive the assurance and the strength to overcome everyone of our crisis and problems. Lent is the chosen time to experience the great love of God through His Son Jesus. 

"When one loves, one does not calculate." - St. Theresa of Lisieux

" Love begins at home and it is not how much we do but how much love we put in that action." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"No reason needed for loving>" - Paulo Coelho

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd"  is available on YouTube for the Fourth Sunday of Lent: B)