Nico Paolo P.

Moron, OP John 3:14-21

4th Sunday of Lent
All Because of Love
Many people enjoy watching movies that have heroic themes. They are even willing to stand and
wait in a very long queue at a movie theater just to be able to watch their favorite Marvel
superheroes. Movies like these give us a sense of hope as we sympathize with the characters who
have been oppressed by the antagonists or villains. We love that feeling of excitement as the
leading characters are starting to make a comeback especially if the story is starting to arrive at
the climax.
The conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus is close to this kind of experience. Jesus said, "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." Certainly, Nicodemus felt the same feeling of excitement as
Jesus was conversing with him about the redemption of humankind. He must be at the cathartic
stage while listening to Jesus.
Does God need to send Jesus to show his love for us? As a God who became man, we might
think that he downgraded his being a God. He is already eternal and infinite and why bother
making Himself human? Certainly, becoming a man did not reduce him from being a God. He is
essentially love. It only proves to us how powerful his love for us is that even with the state that
he has as a God, he can also possess manhood just like us.
Coming into the world is a manifestation of God’s all-embracing love for the whole human race.
Thus, His redemption is not exclusively intended to save a particular tribe, race, or country. The
redemption of God is for everyone. He sent Jesus, His Only-begotten Son, to save us all from the
strongest villain of this world – sin.
This season of Lent is a reminder for us to keep loving one another. Loving may be difficult
especially if we are experiencing pain and have been hurt by others. However, the Lord
demonstrated a concrete example on the cross. Even though he knew that not all people would
love him and would persecute him, remained to be loving to them. Instead, he even prayed to the
Father to grant forgiveness to them.
May this season will teach us to love one another inclusively. Loving may be difficult sometimes
but let us strive to always give our best in the name of love.