Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 14, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 14, 2021

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, PA

 

Second Book of Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

Psalm 137:1, 2, 3, 4-5, 6

Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 2:4-10

John 3:14-21

 

            According to a Jewish legend, when God was about to create man, He gathered and consulted with the angels first; “Create him not,” said the Angel of Justice, “For he will commit all kinds of wickedness against his fellow-men, he will be bad and cruel and dishonest and unrighteous.”  Then, the Angel of Truth said, “Create him not, for he will be false and deceitful to his brothers and sisters and even unto you.”  The Angel of Holiness stepped forth and said, “Create him not for he will follow that which is impure in your sight and dishonor you to your face.”

            Then stepped forward the Angel of Mercy who said, “Heavenly Father, create him, for he sins and turns from the path of truth and holiness, but I will take him tenderly by the hand and speak loving words to him and then lead him back to you.”  God heeded the council of the Angel of Mercy and created man. 

            The story clearly illustrates our Lord’s words in today’s Gospel narrative as well as one of the most quoted passages in the Holy Bible; “For God so love the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  This is a great reminder that God’s love is an unconditional love.  My hope is that by now we have won over the Angels of Justice, Truth and Holiness.  Or, have we?

            There are very few guarantees in this world of ours.  However, I am quite certain that God loves us and always will.  Over the centuries our world has overcome countless wars, famines, plagues, natural disasters, dictatorships, genocide and countless other issues.  Today our world faces many obstacles as well.  It is difficult to imagine how many of us are asking for God’s help and those who are preoccupied with world events that God has no part of their lives.  All of us need to hear the truth who is in the person of Jesus Christ.  Today’s Gospel ends with, “But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that His works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

            Sister and brothers, our hearts are hardened and our ears are closed and so often we do not listen to these Words of the Lord.  Even when we do listen to them, often we do not believe them.  Today, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent when we should rejoice, let us open our hearts and listen to God.  He only wants to tell us that He loves us and invites us to live a life of commitment to Him. 

Question of the Day:  Will you pray to the “Angel of Mercy” and ask for his guidance and protection as you expresses your love to God, our Father in heaven?

Prayer:  “I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.”  Jn. 8:12.

Prosit