4th SUNDAY OF LENT (B) 11th March 2018

The reflections for Sundays and Solemnities is an activity of Society of St Paul, India
A Reflection by:
FR ANTHONY J. FERNANDES,
ST TERESA'S CHURCH,
GIRGAUM, MUMBAI.
--------------------------------------------------------
In today’s readings, we are challenged to reflect on God’s immense love for us…. The concept “love of God” could mean either God’s love for us or our love for God but in this period of lent, we consider God’s love for us first because it will inspire our love for God which will also be translated in our love for our neighbours. In the first reading the Israelites with their political and religious leaders all rebelled against God and defiled God’s dwelling place. Out of love for them, God constantly sent messengers to direct and teach them, but their messages were treated with scorn. God did not abandon them, but kept on watching them as they neglected His Love and continued with their sinful lives. Being vulnerable for being outside of God’s love, they were attacked and taken into captivity by the Babylonians. When they suffered and learnt their lessons, God had to intervene because of the love He had for them by raising up a king who will proclaim their liberty, offer them treasures and help them rebuild the Temple as we see in Ezra chapter 1. The second reading, also confirms this love of God not just for the Israelites alone but for all of us. It says that because of God’s love for us, He was generous to us with His mercy, to the extent that even when we were spiritually dead, because of our sins, He had to look for us and gave us life. In the gospel reading (John 3:14-21), we see the apex of God’s love. It recalls some significant events propelled by God’s love. The Son of God came not to condemn the world but to save the world. He does this first by being the light. Today in so many ways, many of us are struggling to find our way in a world of confusion and chaos, of distractions and disturbances. A world of fear, and temptation, and sin. A world that so often offers us only darkness. But this Sunday, the darkness lifts. Just past the halfway point in Lent, we put aside purple and put on rose - and rejoice. It’s “Laetare Sunday.” Our journey toward Easter is nearing its end. We can see the light, in every sense in the love that is offered. “For God so loved the world,” John writes in his gospel, “that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life.” God gives his most cherished beloved son. Any parent knows that the love for one's child is so great one might sacrifice oneself for a child. In this human experience we grasp God's self-giving love for us, giving us the precious gift of salvation, life forever through his beloved Son. How should I respond to God’s love? I need to take my personal prayer seriously by which I will truly see how God loves me and then receive that love. We need to be in the Lord’s presence and let Him love us. We will then, recognize more and more all the blessings the Lord constantly gives us each day. Next, we need to take the love that we receive from the Lord and just give it out to everyone else. To do this, we may need to die to our desires. The Lord calls us to constantly put the needs of others and the world before our own. In doing that we will experience true joy which the world cannot give. God’s love within us will challenge us to make a difference to the world. We might for example take it in the direction of global warming and care for the earth. Or we might tackle poverty or hunger in light of the abundance most of us enjoy. Or advocate for peaceful resolution of differences. Opportunities stretch from our doorstep and around the globe. God’s love for us will move us out of our comfort zone and make us do things to make a change. We may also look crazy to a world that lives out a different set of values which are mostly selfish. May we then…during this lent -be true witnesses of God’s love! ?

[@afradsouza1780]

Thank you Father. Your homily is a reminder of God's immense love for us despite we being totally engaged in our material world but our Maker is always there for us whenever we call on Him. We have to find time each day to thank our loving, caring and forgiving Father.

[@nattyvaz5912]

Fr Anthony thankyou very much for this wondrrful,enriching, n inspiring talk of being true witnesses of God's love.
. I'll try my best.Will pray fr you!! UTC my bro.

[@arlenefernandez6984]

I am glad for this enriching thoughts en very practical talks. God bless the resource persons.

[@fr.mariadassac3075]

Dear Fr Antony what a wonderful thoughts on Love of God

[@albafernandes1291]

Hi my dear brother what you have spoken is very true I am doing my best to work in the lord's vineyard I have taken the 2nd step please keep me to in your prayers God bless you abundantly loving and caring Alba

[@Georgej25]

Wonderful explanation of God's love 😊praise the lord❤

[@pgloffshore]

Shalom, I have heard many sermons till today, But I have never come across the correct definition of WHAT SIN IS? none defines the word SIN. Can you put some light on this topic please?

[@raviboilla828]

Nice

[@jayshreenegandhi3201]

Yes ...father Anthony..very nice..simple ..meaningful ..lmessege of Lord Jesus..