Easter Weekday
By Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.
John 3: 16 - 21
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
A BLESSED WEDNESDAY TO ALL!!!
It is a common experience, and almost a natural human reaction, to become angry at anyone who aggrieved us or caused us pain. This could be an unconscious reflex from our inner drive to self-preservation. The recent news of the death of al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden is welcomed with rejoicing in America, and its allies, who experienced terrorist bombing attacks suspected to be hand-made of bin Laden. Yet many considered this incident as an occasion for a major threat for continued terrorist attacks from Bin Laden’s supporters and follower for REVENGE. RETALIATORY attacks are now feared that would spark after Bin Laden’s death. This scenario will just propagate a never ending cycle of violence and vindictiveness.
A day before Ben Laden’s death, we celebrated with jubilation the beatification of our beloved Pope John Paul II. In his beatification, we cannot escape remembering his life. One of the good things we remember about him is his being FORGIVING. The most gallant and gracious expression of his being merciful and forgiving is his visit to his assassin. He came not to blame, condemn or demand for harsh punishment out of vengeance. He came to embrace his killer and offer his sincere gift of forgiveness.
In the Gospel today, we have the ultimate expression of God’s offer of MERCY and FORGIVENESS to us evildoers. Jesus is God’s LOVE and MERCY PERSONIFIED! The coming of Jesus by sharing our human nature reveals God’s unconditional love to us. Jesus did not come to bring God’s wrath for our sinfulness neither to unleash ultimate condemnation of our evil deeds but to BRING US SALVATION. Jesus came to bring us LIGHT that will lead us back to the RIGHT PATH going back to God. By our evil deeds, we live in the DARKNESS of SIN. And so Jesus gives us the OPTION to choose to regain out lost opportunity to gain the FULLNESS of LIFE with God. Such option is to be made by BELIEVING in him as the WAY to the TRUTH of the FULLNESS of our LIVES. The promise fruit of such believing in Jesus is ETERNAL LIFE.
The Gospel is once again challenging us to keep strong in our FAITH in JESUS in whom we have the guarantee of God’s MERCY and FORGIVENESS. Like the Blessed Pope John Paul II embracing his killer, Jesus’ OUTSTRECH ARMS on the cross is the sublime symbol of God’s EMBRACE to us sinners offering FORGIVENESS to our sins, sins that brought DEATH to us in eternity. There is no retaliation and vengeance with God but MERCY and FORGIVENESS. Let us glorify God always by being FORGIVING to others, especially those who have wronged us. Let our Christian Faith makes a difference in our world that is in chaos due to hatred and vengeance by our acts of MERCY and offer of FORGIVENESS. Only mercy and forgiveness can break the chain of violence and vindictiveness around us. Let us remember that we are FORGIVEN in order for us to FORGIVE.
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