#TomorrowIsSunday (EN) | Jesus takes away fear

Holy Sepulchre, PhotoCredit: Sr. Amata CSFN

Sunday’s Gospel is John 3:14-21

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm

1. Who is Nicodemus?

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. It appears from the conversation that he is afraid of judgment. He is a Pharisee and believes that one must obey the law and accumulate merits in life so that at the time of God’s judgment there may be more of them than offenses. In this way, according to the Pharisees, a person can save himself on his own. Jesus brings Nicodemus out of this error and fear.

 

2. Keywords

– 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.

Whoever looked at the serpent in the desert and asked God for help was healed. Similarly, today, whoever turns to Jesus lifted up on the cross receives graces, as the Bible says: “Ask and it will be given to you”. The cross is a sign of God’s love for people. Do I wear a cross around my neck? Do I have it in my room?

– 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.

A Catholic once said that this one sentence is the best summary of the entire Bible. I can put my name in place of the word everyone. How does this sentence make me feel?

 

3. Today

We have various fears. We are hurt. We have problems forgiving others and ourselves. We feel powerless. On top of that, there are many other problems connected with Covid. In this situation, the words of St. John Paul II, “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ,” become even more relevant.