First Reading (2Ch 36,14-16,19-23)
Reading from the Second Book of Chronicles:
In those days, all the chief priests and the people multiplied their infidelities, imitating the abominable practices of the pagan nations, and defiled the temple that the Lord had sanctified in Jerusalem.
Now the Lord God of their fathers spoke frequently to them through his messengers, admonishing them with concern every day, because he had compassion on his people and on his own house.
But they mocked those sent by God, despised their words, until the wrath of the Lord rose up against his people and there was no remedy.
The enemies set fire to the house of God and tore down the walls of Jerusalem, set fire to all the fortified buildings and destroyed everything precious.
Nebuchadnezzar took captives to Babylon, all who escaped the sword, and they became slaves to the king and his sons, until the empire passed to the king of the Persians.
Thus the word of the Lord spoken through the mouth of Jeremiah was fulfilled: “Until the land has enjoyed its Sabbaths, it will rest all the days of desolation, until seventy years are completed.”
In the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord moved the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, and he ordered the publication throughout his kingdom in a loud voice and in writing, the following proclamation:
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and has commissioned me to build him a temple in Jerusalem, which is in the country of Judah. Who among you all belongs to the your people? May the Lord, his God, be with him, and may he set out on his way.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Second Reading (Eph 2,4-10)
Reading of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians:
Brothers: God is rich in mercy. Because of the great love with which he loved us, when we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life with Christ. It is by grace that you are saved!
God raised us up with Christ and seated us in heaven by virtue of our union with Jesus Christ. Thus, through the kindness he showed us in Jesus Christ, God wanted to show, throughout future centuries, the incomparable richness of his grace.
Indeed, it is by grace that you are saved, through faith. And this does not come from you; It is a gift from God! It does not come from works, so that no one can be proud. For it is he who made us; We were created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Announcement of the Gospel (John 3,14-21)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that all who believe in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
In fact, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world could be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he did not believe in the name of the only begotten Son.
Now this is the judgment: light has come into the world, but men preferred darkness to light, because their deeds were evil.
Whoever does evil hates the light and does not approach the light, lest his actions be exposed. But whoever acts according to the truth comes closer to the light, so that it becomes clear that his actions are carried out in God.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Today, I would like to share a message that invites us to reflect on the incredible mercy of God, which manifests itself amidst our daily experiences. As we delve into the biblical passages presented to us—the First Reading from the Book of Chronicles, the Second Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, and the Gospel according to John—we will discover the depth of God’s love and the promise of salvation that He offers us.
Imagine this scene: a just and merciful king rules his people, but they turn away from his ways and turn to idolatry and wickedness. God, in His infinite wisdom, sends prophets to warn them and call His people back. However, they ignore these warnings and continue in their stubbornness. God’s anger is kindled, and the consequences follow. The king of Babylon invades Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and takes the people captive.
This story is painful, but it also reveals an essential truth: God does not forsake His people. Even amidst exile and suffering, He continues to act on their behalf. King Cyrus of Persia is moved by the Spirit of God to issue a decree allowing the people to return to their land and rebuild the Temple. God even uses pagan kings to fulfill His plans of salvation!
This story teaches us that even when we stray from God, He never abandons us. His mercy is infinite, and He always offers us a chance to return to Him. When we fall into sin, when we get lost in the idolatries of the world, God continues to call us with love and patience, inviting us to repent and turn back to Him.
The Second Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians reveals even more about God’s mercy. Saint Paul writes that we have been saved by grace, through faith, and this does not come from ourselves, but is a gift from God. Nothing we do can save us; it is only by God’s grace that we are rescued. We cannot boast about our works, but we must humble ourselves before God, recognizing our total dependence on Him.
This message is liberating! We are called to abandon the mindset that we need to strive to deserve God’s love. Our salvation is not the result of our works but is a free gift from God. This leads us to deep gratitude and a response of love and service to others. We are called to live lives of kindness and generosity, not to earn salvation but as a response to the love God has shown us.
And the Gospel according to John reveals the pinnacle of this message of love and salvation: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” These words remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He gave Himself for us, bearing our sins and offering us eternal life.
Just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the desert so that whoever looked at it would be healed, Jesus is lifted up on the cross so that all of us may find healing and salvation. The cross is a sign of unconditional love, redemption, victory over sin, and death. It is through the cross that we find hope and life.
Dear brothers and sisters, these biblical passages invite us to reflect on God’s love and mercy in our lives. They remind us that even when we stray from Him, He never abandons us. His grace saves us, not by our own merits, but as a free gift. We must respond to this love with gratitude and live lives of service and generosity.
Imagine yourself carrying a heavy backpack on your back, filled with worries, regrets, and burdens. The message of these biblical passages is that God is ready to lighten the weight of that backpack. He invites us to draw near to Him, to surrender to Him, and to trust in His mercy. When we give our burdens to Him, we experience the freedom and peace that only He can give.
When we look at the cross, we see God’s love poured out for us. It is in that gaze that we find healing for our wounds, forgiveness for our sins, and hope for our lives. Jesus invites us to look to Him, to fix our eyes on Him, and to trust in His love and salvation.
Sometimes it can be difficult to understand and accept these spiritual truths. Life presents us with challenges and questions that cause us to doubt God’s love. But it is in these situations that we are called to trust and persevere in faith. Remember that faith is not the absence of doubts but the choice to trust in God, even when we do not understand everything.
When we face difficulties, it is like we are walking through a dark tunnel. However, even in the darkness, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. That light is Jesus, illuminating our path and guiding us out of the darkness. He never abandons us, even when our eyes cannot see clearly.
Dear brothers and sisters, may this message of love, mercy, and salvation deeply touch our hearts. May it inspire us to live lives transformed by the love of God. May we share this love with others, being instruments of His grace in this world.
As we prepare for the Eucharist, where Jesus gives Himself to us in a real and true way, I invite each of you to reflect on how these biblical passages apply to your daily life. In what areas do you need to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness? How can you respond to this love by living a life of service and generosity?
I leave these questions in your hearts for you to reflect on during this moment of silence. May the Holy Spirit guide and enlighten you, so that you may find answers and guidance. May the grace of God be with us all, strengthening us on our journey of faith.
May this homily be a reminder to all of us that God is always present, ready to receive us with open arms. May we surrender to Him, trust in His mercy, and live lives of gratitude, love, and service. May He help us apply these principles in our daily lives so that we may be true witnesses of His grace and love.
May the peace of Christ be with us always. Amen.
