Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Gospel Reading: John 3:16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 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-begotten Son of  God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear one of the most popular bible verses of all – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” God sent his son Jesus not to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. He sent his Son, to suffer and die for us so that on the third day He would rise again to save us from the fires of Hell. He came to save us from the darkness. It is in the revelation of the resurrection that we understand our the final eternal joy.  Jesus is the eternal light that came into the world to show us the way. Because of the original sin of Adam, the gates of heaven were closed.  Because of Jesus, the gates are reopened to allow us into the kingdom of heaven.  Unfortunately, darkness still lurks in the world. Jesus tells us that “people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” This is still the case today. How many times do we hear about the evil that inflicts society. Greed and envy run rampant in businesses at the expense of the common worker. We look at the economic condition of the world today and it is not the fault of God, but the fault of our own greed and lust.  Some would like us to think that what is happening is punishment from God, but in reality, it is purely the fault of the sinfulness of man himself.  This is the consequence of our choice or action.  It’s like touching a hot burner on a stove.  It is not God who burns us, but our choice to touch the burner.  God’s not punishing us for touching the burning; it is the consequence of our action.  “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.” For us to find the light, we must reveal the sins which have kept us in the darkness. To find Christ, we must be willing to dispel the things which prevent us from finding the gate. This passage is all about right judgment. We choose the things we love. We either love the darkness or we love the light. If we choose the light, we choose the glory of God. What we love is the clearest window into our soul. “But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

An example of the darkness in the world is the ongoing religious strife and the ongoing attacks on the church.  Society is clearly choosing the dark.  This is evident in the TV programs which now air during prime time.  The underlying theme of these programs is sexual impurity and disordered relationships.  I can do whatever I want and there is no consequence to my action.  The government is now trying to force Mother Church to do things that violate her conscience.  People no longer take responsibility for their actions.  This is all because we are happy being in the dark.  Our actions are hidden because we do not see them in the light of the Gospels.    

A Simple Prayer

Christ Jesus, you are gift which saves us from our sins.

You are the light which leads us to the gate.

Strengthen our will so we can find the light of God.

And gives us the strength to love our enemies.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon