Last Thursday, March 12, was the midpoint of Lent. And so on this Sunday, we pause and lighten up from the penitential focus of this season and rejoice a little more.
And we have much reason to rejoice, because God is so merciful to us sinners. Even when we went astray and suffered the consequences, God sought to restore us, showering upon us His mercy, as He did for His people Israel, restoring them to the Promised Land after 70 years of exile as punishment for their wickedness.
The Gospel reading from John, together with the 2nd reading, clearly articulates the core of the Gospel message: God loved us so greatly, and sent His son to be lifted up and die for us, so we could have life. We have a great God, who shows us His love so powerfully. And we respond by doing the good works that He enables us to do in Him, through the free gift of His grace. Grace is not something earn, but we respond to it in living to do good works in Him.
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