Gospel

From the 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.

The Gospel of the Lord

The Beautiful Life

Today I celebrate the source of the good life. The true life. The most beautiful life.
Today I exalt the way of living that Jesus teaches me through His Spirit. Born within me through baptism. Growing in the Eucharist. Loving in marriage. Healing me in confession.
Today I proclaim a way of dying that prepares my soul for His action, His motions, His gifts, His life, through the fruits/sacraments of His self-giving.

Brought down to Married Life:

James: Darling, do you remember what day it is today?
Nicole: I can’t quite recall.
James: Today marks five years since the day my addiction came to light. The day that could have been the worst of my life but instead became the first day of my new life. And I owe it all to you. To the way you welcomed me despite the pain I caused you.
Nicole: How happy and proud I am of you, my love. But you’re mistaken in one thing. The One we owe it to is our God, who through His death pierced our darkness and opened the doors to His life.
James: Darling, how much I learn from you. Your gaze is the place where God speaks to me and sustains me. I love you so deeply.
Nicole: Loving you is my way of letting myself be loved by Him.

Mother,

Blessed and praised be the fruit of your womb, Jesus, who redeemed us with His Blood.