Commentaries

Trinity Sunday – Year A

John 3: 16 - 18

“God so loves the world that he gave his only Son.”

Here we have what can be considered one of the most essential themes of the Gospel according to John, and in fact, of the Good News of Jesus. Or in the words of Fr. Michael Winstanley, SDB, it “sums up the whole Christian message of salvation. It is the Gospel in a nutshell.”[1] The Good News that Jesus proclaims by his preaching and action, by his presence and his very life is that “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.”

Moreover, this eternal life refers not only to the life after our earthly existence. It is God’s life, which through Jesus, God shares with us even now.[2] Here, we can see the link with what John had written in the Prologue, “He came, … those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” (1:11-12)

Jesus was sent to bring “eternal life and salvation to the world”. He came to save, and not to judge.[3] “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” And that is the reality of God’s love: Jesus is God’s gift of love for the life of the world.

Given that background, the second half of the Gospel passage becomes clearer. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (v. 18) Jesus did not come to judge. Nor does God judge. One who refuses God’s love in the Son brings condemnation on oneself.[4]

This Gospel passage was chosen for this Trinity Sunday to remind us that while we can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, we live the reality of the Trinity every moment of our life. In Jesus the Son, we share and live the divine love. Again, the words of the Prologue, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth” (1:14). That love and that glory reach the climax on the cross. That is how much God loves us.

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[1] Winstansley, Michael, S.D.B. Symbols and Spirituality. Bolton, England: Don Bosco Publications, p. 96.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Moloney, Francis, S.D.B. The Gospel of John. Sacra Pagina series. Liturgical Press, 1998, p. 96.

[4] Ibid.

Most Holy Trinity Sunday

May 18, 2008

Readings

Commentaries

Pentecost - Year A

John 20:19-23

A presence that brings peace and joy

In Genesis, we find that before God’s act of creation, “the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters” (1:2). In another English, “the mighty wind” is translated as “a divine wind.” (Jerusalem New Bible). The word wind is from the Hebrew ruah, which means breath, wind, or spirit. This divine wind, together with the word of God, put order into chaos, light into darkness, and all things were created. That event marked the beginning of creation.

In John 20:19-23, Jesus appears to the disciples who have lost heart and are fearful. They are in a different kind of chaos and turmoil. He breathes on them. His word and his presence give them peace and joy. (He said to them, “Peace be with you.” And “the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”) This parallel indicates a new beginning, the beginning of the Church, the beginning of a new creation.

The Spirit of God is in all Christians who are sent by Jesus, just as the Father has sent him (v.21), to bring peace and joy to the world. Into a world of chaos for not having God’s Word, the disciples are sent to bring peace. Into a world of suffering for not knowing God, the disciples are sent to bring joy. This mission is accomplished only if in us others find the presence of God. Then, the whole world will enjoy the new beginning that the Holy Spirit brings.

Pentecost Sunday

May 11, 2008

Readings

Commentaries

Seventh Sunday of Easter - Year A

Jn 17:1-11a

Eternal life is to know God

"This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (v. 3)
How often do we value the knowledge of God as it deserves? We study and learn many things. We spend years of hard work to acquire knowledge and train for various careers. But the only one thing that matters is that we know God.

Jesus came to reveal God's name to us. “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world." Thanks to Him, we are saved and now, we belong to God (v. 6).

We, as followers of Christ, have the same mission, that is to reveal God name to the whole world, so that all we come to know God and have life, eternal life.

That is not an easy job. But we can do it, because we are not alone. Moreover, Jesus prays for us with the Father (v.9).

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 4, 2008

Readings

Jesus prays for us

Ascension of the Lord

May 1, 2008


Readings