Mass Readings and Scripture Reflections

Scripture reflection 4/21/2024 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

 

I was a pretty naughty child. That’s an understatement. But I always remember my mother saying to me, “I love you even when you are naughty. When you are bad, it makes me sad but I will always love you.” As a parent, I have tried to emulate this with my own children. Why? Because isn’t that the truth? That as parents, we will do whatever it takes for our children. Anything. 

 

The readings for this Sunday show our Heavenly Father is just the same. What is so poignant is that in the gospel, Jesus talks about laying his life down for us. He says he does this of his own free will, and that this was the command he received from his Father. God saw the wrong that was happening, so what did he do? He sent his messengers—the prophets in the Old Testament and then ultimately, he sent his beloved Son. Immediately, I remember my favorite bible passage of all time, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may attain eternal life.” This is the ultimate proof of his divine love for us. 

 

All of us would die for our children, but how many would willingly let their children go to their death? God made the ultimate sacrifice for us—a sacrifice that must have hurt him deeply—but it was the only way for mankind to see and believe and change. We are the benefactors of this ultimate sacrifice, the heirs to his kingdom because his mercy and kindness endure forever. Let us rejoice in his gift to us, and honor him with a renewed faith.