Posted: 3/18/2009 5:07:22 AM EDT
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Sunday, March 22, 2009
Fourth Sunday of Lent Reading 1 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23 14 In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people added infidelity to infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the nations and polluting the LORD's temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15 Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy. 19 Their enemies burnt the house of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, set all its palaces afire, and destroyed all its precious objects. 20 Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon, where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons until the kingdom of the Persians came to power. 21 All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah: "Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths, during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest while seventy years are fulfilled." King Cyrus of Persia 22 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: 23 "Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him!" Reading II Eph 2:4-10 Brothers and sisters: 4 God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, 6 raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so no one may boast. 10 For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. Gospel Jn 3:14-21 Jesus said to Nicodemus: 14 "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." 16 For 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. Overview of the Gospel: · The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, which we hear about in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, occurs soon after Jesus cleanses the temple, which we heard about last Sunday. · Nicodemus (the name means “conqueror for the people”) was a member of the Pharisee religious party and “a ruler of the people” (verse 1), which means he was probably a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court (John 7:45-52). He was interested in Jesus, but would only meet with him under the cover of darkness (verse 2). · Jesus engages Nicodemus in a conversation about the necessity of baptism (3:1-9). When Nicodemus seems confused over the term “born again,” Jesus goes on to explain the significance of his mission, beginning with a reference to Moses and “the serpent in the desert” (see Numbers 21:4-9). This incident was a pre-figurement of Jesus being raised up—on the Cross; from the grave; into heaven—as a sign for us to believe and be healed from our sin. Questions: · What can you find out about the person Jesus is addressing in this passage (verses 1-2, 7:50; 19:39)? What is significant about his coming to Jesus? Why at night (verses 19-20)? How is this related to what was said in last weeks reading, especially verses 2:24-25? · What two ideas about birth are Jesus and Nicodemus thinking of? What necessary sacrament is Jesus referring to in verses 5-8? How does Jesus account for Nicodemus’ lack of understanding? What does the Church teach about being “born again”(verse 3:5; 1 Peter 3:19-20; CCC 1213, 1215, 1228, 1257, 1263,1265-1270, 1277)? · What does Jesus claim about himself in verses 13-15? From verses 16-18, what stands out to you about God? About what he wants to do? About how a person is condemned? How belief will manifest itself (verses 15-21, 36)? · In what way or ways do you “believe” in Jesus? Intellectual acceptance? As the Son of God? As Saviour and Lord? By picking up your own cross everyday in faith and obedience? How? · Are you more in the “darkness” or more in the “light” (verses 19-21)? What would it take for you to move more into the light? What can you do to make that happen? Catechism of the Catholic Church 218-221 God is love. 309-314 Providence and scandal of evil. 456-458 God gives his son for us. 604-605 God takes the initiative in universal love - in Christ whose death is for all without exception. 709-710 God's spirit at work even in the breakup and exile of Israel. 845-848, 1257-1261 Necessity of baptism. 1996-1997 Grace: God's help and participation in God's life. 2002 Longing for truth and goodness. Our free response to God's grace-filled initiative. |
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· In what way or ways do you “believe” in Jesus? Intellectual acceptance? As the Son of God? As Saviour and Lord? By picking up your own cross everyday in faith and obedience? How? I believe in an intellectual way, there is so much evidence concerning Him that it surpasses all other ancient historical figures. No other historical figure has nowhere near the written documents about them. Archeology continues to uncover artifacts. I also totally submit to the teachings of the Catholic Church concerning Him, which means I believe He is the Son of God, Savior and Lord, etc etc.
· Are you more in the “darkness” or more in the “light” (verses 19-21)? What would it take for you to move more into the light? What can you do to make that happen? My heart is there but so is my weakness. I'd love to say that I am always in the clear light but I stumble around and beg for God's mercy in those times of folly. |
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What can you find out about the person Jesus is addressing in this passage (verses 1-2, 7:50; 19:39)? What is significant about his coming to Jesus? Why at night (verses 19-20)? How is this related to what was said in last weeks reading, especially verses 2:24-25?
We know that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, probably a member of the Sanhedrin, and unlike the rest of the Pharisees he was interested in what Jesus had to say. He truly began to see that Jesus was who he said he was. The rest of the Pharisees were plotting against Jesus, calling him a blasphemer, so Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus at night when he would not be found out. Jesus understood human nature (John 2:25) so he would have known the need for Nicodemus to come in secret and also known that his motives were sincere. What two ideas about birth are Jesus and Nicodemus thinking of? What necessary sacrament is Jesus referring to in verses 5-8? How does Jesus account for Nicodemus’ lack of understanding? What does the Church teach about being “born again”(verse 3:5; 1 Peter 3:19-20; CCC 1213, 1215, 1228, 1257, 1263,1265-1270, 1277)?
Nicodemus is confused about how a man can be physically born from his mother's womb a second time, but Jesus is talking about being born "from above". Jesus is referring to the sacrament of baptism - water baptism. The Church teaches that baptism is essential for salvation. 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." In what way or ways do you “believe” in Jesus? Intellectual acceptance? As the Son of God? As Saviour and Lord? By picking up your own cross everyday in faith and obedience? How?
By all of these ways. Intellectual acceptance applies most of the time, but every once while, the "intellect" tries to cast doubts on the spiritual life. And Jesus is all of those things - Son of God, Savior and Lord; it is fruitful to meditate on all of these aspects. Picking up my cross day in and day out - yep, that's the hardest part isn't it? The best way for me to do this is remember to set aside time daily for prayer and scripture (which is hard with all the other commitments we have) so that I can know and stay close to the Lord. Then I feel better equipped to "deny" myself and my own will, and discern what God's will is for my life. And of course, when I stumble, I know that all I have to do is ask for forgiveness. |
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John 3:16 and Grace
If God so loves the World, How can Hell Exist? Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio As the camera pans the crowd at a football game, you see a few fans holding up the sign. It simply says “John 3:16.” For years, evangelical Protestants have extolled this little Bible verse as the heart of the Gospel. In their minds, if you only have a moment to tell people something about the Christian faith, this is Scripture you should quote: “For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son that whosoever believes in him may not die but may have eternal life.” Pope Paul VI, in his landmark letter on evangelization, confirmed that this verse, from this Sunday’s gospel, is indeed is the central theme of the entire bible. So then comes the million dollar question–how could a loving God ever send anyone to hell? The answer is very simple. He doesn’t. Oh, hell certainly exists, alright. We see its crowded waiting room here on earth and can, if we observe closely, get some insight as to why its occupants are sitting there. War certainly comes close to being hell on earth, especially when you happen to be on the losing side. Armed conflict is always nasty. But in the ancient world, despite the low level of technology, war was often total. When a city resisted a conquering army, it was made an example to neighboring towns. Jerusalem, for example, was razed to the ground by the Babylonians. The pride and joy of Israel, Solomon’s temple, was reduced to a heap of rubble, civilians as well as soldiers put to the sword, and a few lucky ones led into exile. Did God bring this hellish fate upon them? Not in the least. He actually sent messengers to tell them how to prevent such tragedy. Jeremiah warned Jerusalem to repent and offer no resistance to the invaders. Their response? They imprisoned him. Through stubborn and foolish arrogance, they brought their fate crashing down upon their own heads, much to God’s dismay. Eternal punishment is exactly the same. No one is in hell except those who choose it. “The judgment is this–the light came into the world, but men loved the darkness instead of the light (Jn 3:19). Why would people walk away from the light? Perhaps because they don’t like what they see as they emerge from the shadows. Maybe because they don’t want anyone else to see them are they really are. They’d rather keep up the charade that they are good people and can fend for themselves, thank you very much. That they’ve always done what’s right and deserve to be appreciated, even applauded, by God and everyone else. At the moment of death, the choice for light or darkness becomes final and irrevocable. But before that time, God is waiting for us to turn to him. He is rich in mercy (Eph 2:4). He shines his light on our sins and brokenness not to humiliate us, but to irradiate the vermin that infects us and to clear up our blotchy complexion. All we need is the courage to face the truth about ourselves and rejoice in his merciful love which accepts us no matter what we’ve done or who we are. All we need is to be willing to say “sorry” and “thanks.” For we can do nothing to earn his favor–it comes to us as a pure, undeserved gift, as Ephesians tells us in Sunday’s second reading. But God can’t give us his mercy if we don’t ask for it. And if we insist on “pulling our own weight,” and getting from God what’s coming to us, he’ll do as we say. Jesus offers us a share in what He deserves from our heavenly Father. I think I’d opt for that rather than what I deserve! Lent is a time to remember that we live by the mercy of God, and to renew our determination that the grace that he has so generously lavished upon us will not be received in vain. |