A reading of the holy Gospel according to John 3:13-17
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
REFLECTION
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Many of my efforts end in failure. Either I did not plan well, spoke or judged too quickly, was full of ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts), allowed people to annoy me or most likely I annoyed them, or I was in a mission to fulfill my dreams and my will. What I do with my day will depend on how I accept these trials of life. Do I allow them to become my opportunities for virtue? Will I see my spiritual greatness or littleness?
Was I patient, did I thank God for all occasions of the day, the people I met or dealt with, did I offer my day to suffer for Jesus’ sake? How much of myself did I want to give to God? Was I kind? Was I able to accept with a smile God’s Will and give up my self control?
As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross, I am reminded that Jesus took on a human life, to suffer my daily trials.
God intervenes in our lives, in the affairs of the world, letting us to taste and see His goodness and love. The Cross He carried and died on is a means of redemption for the whole human race—for you and me. God knew we could not do it on our own.
"He, by the Cross, took away all darkness and brought light into the world. The crucified Jesus lifts us up, leaving behind the world and sin and giving us the riches of salvation. Through His Crucifixion, we are cleansed with His blood so that we can enjoy His graces and eternal life with Him. God, made man, freely suffered death; forever conquering the devil. It is His triumph, it is His Glory." (1)
When I am lifted up,
then I will draw all men to myself.
(John 12:32)
Source:
(1) Discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete
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