Believe in Jesus

Jesus cried out and said, 

“Whoever believes in Me believes not only in Me 

but also in the one who sent Me, 

and whoever sees me sees the one who sent Me."

(John 12:44-45)

Believing in Jesus is the same as believing in God the Father. He is the light that has come into the world to dispel darkness. He came not to judge the world, but to save it. His commandments lead to eternal life. These lessons can inspire us to deepen our faith, live in the light of Jesus’ teachings, understand the purpose of His coming, respect the power of His words, and strive for obedience to His commandments. 

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.” (John 12:44-50)

In faith's vast expanse, a truth we discover, believing in Jesus, is like none other. For faith in the Son, in the Father instills, a unity divine, that our spirit fills. He is the light, that pierces the night, dispelling the darkness, with His might. Not to judge, but to save, He came, in His mercy, He heals our shame. His words, commandments, a guiding light, leading us to eternal life, oh so bright. These lessons profound, in our hearts engraved, inspire us to live as the ones He saved. Deepen our faith, in His teachings abide, understand His purpose, let Him be our guide. Respect His words, their power untold, strive for obedience, be ever bold.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. We acknowledge that believing in Jesus is the same as believing in You. You sent Your Son into the world, not to judge us, but to save us, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Jesus, the Light of the World, You have come to dispel the darkness that surrounds us. You illuminate our path and guide us towards righteousness. Help us to live in Your light and walk in Your ways. We understand that Your commandments lead to eternal life. Inspire us to deepen our faith, to immerse ourselves in Your teachings, and to strive for obedience to Your commandments. May we respect the power of Your words and let them guide our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to comprehend the purpose of Your coming, to save us and to give us life in abundance. May this understanding transform our lives and inspire us to share Your love with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

God is able to intervene even in seemingly hopeless situations. As we navigate the challenges of our daily lives, we should always maintain resilience of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity, constantly seeking and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our decisions and actions. Let us always be open in responding to God’s work and calling, willing to step out in faith and obedience and share our faith with others.

24 The word of God continued to spread and grow. 25 After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. 13:1 Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. 4 So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. (Acts 12:24–13:5)

In the realm where hope seems lost and dim, God's power shines, intervening on a whim. In the labyrinth of life, so vast and wide, in His wisdom and strength, we confide. Resilience of faith, a beacon in the night, guiding us through, with its radiant light. Perseverance we wear, a shield so strong, in the face of adversity, where we belong. The Holy Spirit whispers, a gentle guide, in our decisions and actions, by our side. In the dance of life, a rhythm, a song, to His divine guidance, we belong. Open hearts responding to His divine call, in faith and obedience, we give our all. Stepping out, where angels fear to tread, by His love and grace, we are led. Sharing our faith, a story to be told, a testament of love, more precious than gold. In every word, in every deed, we plant His love, like a tiny seed.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the midst of life's storms and seemingly hopeless situations, we are reminded of Your divine intervention. We know that nothing is too difficult for You, and Your power knows no bounds. As we navigate the challenges of our daily lives, grant us the strength to maintain resilience of faith. Help us to persevere in the face of adversity, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. Guide us, Holy Spirit, in our decisions and actions. May we constantly seek Your wisdom and follow Your lead. Let Your voice be the loudest in our hearts, guiding us on the path of righteousness. Open our hearts, Lord, to respond to Your work and calling. Give us the courage to step out in faith and obedience, trusting in Your perfect plan for our lives. Finally, Lord, as we experience Your love and grace, may we be compelled to share our faith with others. Let our lives be a testament to Your goodness, drawing others closer to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

God is in control, and His rule is based on righteousness and justice. God’s love and blessings are not limited to a specific group of people but are meant for everyone. The blessings we receive from God are not just for our own benefit but are meant to be shared and used to bless others. Let us always give thanks and praise to God for His goodness and mercy.

2 May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 3 So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. 5 May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. 6 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 8 May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8) 

In the grand design, in the cosmic dance, God is in control, nothing's left to chance. His rule is just, His judgments fair, in His righteous kingdom, we all have a share. God's love, a river, flowing wide and free, not bound by borders, for everyone to see. His blessings, like raindrops, fall on us all, on the just and unjust, on the great and small. The blessings we receive, not just for our gain, but to share, to bless, to ease another's pain. Like seeds in our hands, waiting to be sown, in the garden of life, His love is shown. So let us give thanks, let our praises soar, for His goodness, His mercy, forevermore. In every moment, in every place, let us reflect the beauty of His grace.

Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that You are in control, Your rule is based on righteousness and justice. We take comfort in knowing that Your plans are perfect, and Your justice is served in Your time. We thank You for Your love and blessings, which are not limited to a specific group of people but are meant for everyone. Your love knows no bounds, and Your blessings are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Help us to remember that the blessings we receive from You are not just for our own benefit. Give us a generous heart to share and use these blessings to bless others, to show them Your love and kindness. Finally, let us always give thanks and praise to You, God, for Your goodness and mercy. May our lives be a testament to Your endless love and grace, and may our words and actions bring glory to Your name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

Gospel

II: The Book of Signs

RECAPITULATION

John 12:44-50

First Reading

IV: The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission

HEROD'S DEATH ; MISSION OF BARNABAS AND SAUL

Acts 12:20-25 / 01-03

Responsorial Psalm

Second Book of Psalms 42-72

HARVEST THANKS AND PETITION

Psalm 67:1-8

Reflection Source:

Copilot

Believe in Jesus

The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, 

“Your son will live,” 

and he and his whole household came to believe.

(John 4:53)

Jesus heals and perform miracles. The power of faith and the miracles can occur when we believe in Jesus. These miracles were signs of the divine power of God, working through Him. They served to confirm His identity as the Son of God, and they demonstrated His love and compassion for humanity. Moreover, these miracles were not just displays of power but also invitations to faith. When people witnessed these miracles or experienced them firsthand, they were often moved to believe in Jesus and His message. Faith itself is a powerful force. When we put our trust in Jesus, we open ourselves to God’s healing, transformative power in our lives. So, indeed, faith plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey. It’s our faith that connects us with God’s power and grace. And it’s through this connection that miracles can occur. As Jesus Himself said, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). 

43 At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. 46 Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. 48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. 51 While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. 52 He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 53 The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. 54 Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea. (John 4:43-54)

In the quiet corners of our beating hearts, faith weaves its tapestry, its divine arts. It's a golden thread, strong and fine, connecting us to the Divine. God's power, vast as the starlit night, God's grace, a gentle, guiding light. Through faith, these gifts in us reside, in this sacred space, where love abides. Miracles bloom like flowers in spring from this connection, joy they bring. Invisible to the eye, yet felt in the soul, faith makes us whole. So let faith be the bridge, sturdy and wide between us and God, let there be no divide. For it's through this connection, so profound that miracles, like stars, abound.

Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You with hearts full of faith. We believe in Your power, Your grace, and the miracles that can occur when we connect with You through our faith. We thank You for Your unending love and for the grace that You bestow upon us each day. We acknowledge that it is through this grace that we are saved, and it is through Your power that we are healed. Help us to strengthen our faith, to trust in You more each day. Let our faith be the bridge that connects us to Your divine power and grace. May we always remember that with faith, nothing is impossible. We pray for those who are in need of a miracle today. May they feel Your presence, may they experience Your power, and may their faith in You grow stronger. We believe in Your promise, Lord, that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Help us to hold onto this promise, especially in times of doubt and uncertainty. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.

God promises to create a new heaven and a new earth, where the hardships of the past will be forgotten. There will be no more weeping or crying. Life will be prolonged. Infants will not die after a few days, and the elderly will live a full lifetime. People will enjoy the work of their hands. They will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant. This prophecy is a vision of a future filled with peace, joy, and longevity, where the sorrows of the present world are no more. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s promise of restoration and renewal. 

17 Thus says the Lord: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying; 20 no longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime; he dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed. 21 They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant. (Isaiah 65:17-21)

In the realm where celestial bodies twirl, God promises a canvas, anew unfurl. A heaven and earth, fresh and bright where past hardships vanish from sight. No more tears, no more pain, in this new world, joy shall reign. The old has passed, the new has come under the radiant light of the heavenly sun. The echoes of sorrow will no longer be heard, replaced by the song of a free bird. In the heart of the city, laughter will ring, in God's new creation, the people will sing. A promise of a future, a hope to hold, a story of grace, in His Book of Gold. So let us wait, let us trust, let us pray, for God's new heaven and earth, in His perfect day.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your promises, for they are the anchor of our hope. You have promised to create a new heaven and a new earth, where the hardships of the past will be forgotten. We look forward to that day with eager anticipation, knowing that You are faithful to fulfill Your word. We trust in Your divine plan, for You make all things new. Help us to let go of past hurts and disappointments, knowing that in Your new creation, there will be no more pain or sorrow. May this promise bring us comfort and peace in our current struggles. We pray for patience as we wait for Your perfect timing. Strengthen our faith and fill us with Your peace as we hold onto Your promise. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

God’s anger is momentary, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Let us always praise and thank the Lord our God for His deliverance and mercy. He alone has the transformative power to turn our sorrows into joy and make us victorious in all of our life's battles and challenges.

2 I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. 4 O Lord, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. 5 Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 6 For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. 11 “Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper.” 12 You changed my mourning into dancing; 13 O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13)

In the canvas of life, painted with strife, God alone holds the transformative knife. He turns our sorrows into joy, our pain into dance, in the theater of life, He gives us a chance. Our tears are but rain, nourishing the soul, God's love is the sun, making us whole. From the ashes of despair, hope takes flight, in our darkest hour, He is our light. Battles may rage, challenges tower, yet in God's hands, they lose their power. For He who calmed the stormy sea can quiet the tempest within you and me. So let not your heart be troubled or afraid, for God's promises will never fade. He turns mourning into dancing, night into day, in every battle, He will make a way. So lift your eyes, see beyond the trials, God's love is measured not in miles. His power transforms, His love renews, in all of life's battles, with God, we cannot lose.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging Your power and majesty. You alone have the transformative power to turn our sorrows into joy, our trials into triumphs. In the midst of our battles and challenges, we find our strength in You. We know that with You, victory is assured. You are our refuge and our fortress, our God in whom we trust. Help us to remember that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Transform our perspective, Lord, so we may see our struggles through the lens of faith. Turn our mourning into dancing, our tears into laughter. Replace our despair with hope, our fear with courage, and our doubt with faith. Let Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your promise to work all things together for our good. We claim this promise today, believing in Your ability to turn our challenges into opportunities for growth. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Book of Signs

RETURN TO GALILEE / SECOND SIGN AT CANA

John 4:43-45 / 46-54

III: Return of the First Captives

THE WORLD RENEWED

Isaiah 65:17-25

The First Book of Psalms 1-41

THANKSGIVING FOR DELIVERANCE

Psalm 30:1-13

Reflection Source:

Copilot in Edge

Believe in Jesus

 "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.

(John 3:16)

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s love for us. Believing in Jesus is a deeply personal and profound aspect of Christian faith. It involves accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of God, recognizing His teachings, acknowledging His sacrifice on the cross for humanity’s sins, and embracing the promise of eternal life through faith in Him. He calls us to live by the truth come into the light and live a life in alignment with God. 

14 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 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. 19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. (John 3:14-21)

Believe in Jesus, let your heart be His home, in His teachings, find a love that is known. He walked among us, a beacon so bright, in His words, we find strength, in His love, our light. Jesus Christ, embodiment of God's love so pure, a promise of salvation, a hope that's secure. Through trials and tribulations, through joy and through strife, in Him, we find meaning, in Him, we find life. So believe in Jesus, let His love guide your way, in every moment, in every day. For in His love, we are never alone, Jesus Christ, God's love, to us shown.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and His magnitude. We believe in Jesus, our Savior, our guide, the embodiment of Your love, in whom we confide. Jesus Christ, who walked this earth with grace and humility, who showed us Your love, Your mercy, Your ability. He bore our sins, paid the price so high, so that in believing in Him, we might never die. We thank You for this gift, this act of love so profound, in Jesus Christ, Your love for us is found. Help us to live in His likeness, to follow His way and to reflect His love in our lives every day. In Jesus' holy name, we pray, Amen.

The Lord reminds us of the importance of faithfulness, the consequences of turning away from divine guidance, and the ever-present possibility of redemption and restoration. Even in times of transgression, the possibility of redemption and restoration is always present. We may have strayed from our faith and continued in our sinful ways that have led us to experience hardships and the dire consequences of our actions but the Lord in His mercy, shall rebuild and restore what was once damaged or lost. This speaks to the boundless mercy and love of the Lord. It serves as an inspiration of hope, resilience, and a continuous journey towards spiritual growth. 

14 In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests and the people added infidelity to infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the nations and polluting the Lord’s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15 Early and often did the Lord, the God of their fathers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, until the anger of the Lord against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy. 19 Their enemies burnt the house of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, set all its palaces afire, and destroyed all its precious objects. 20 Those who escaped the sword he carried captive to Babylon, where they became servants of the king of Chaldeans and his sons until the kingdom of the Persians came to power. 21 All this was to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah: “Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest while seventy years are fulfilled.” 22 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: 23 “Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him!’” (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23)

In times of transgression, when we lose our way, in the silence of night, or the noise of the day. Even when we falter, and our hearts feel heavy as stone, remember, redemption is a seed that is sown. In the heart of the sinner, in the soul feeling lost the possibility of redemption, a line we have crossed. Yet, even in darkness, a flicker of light, a promise of restoration, breaking the night. A whisper of mercy, a sigh of release in the midst of despair, a burgeoning peace. For even in transgression, one truth remains, in the garden of life, love always sustains. So, let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be in despair, for even in transgression, redemption is there. A beacon of hope, a path to ascend with the promise of restoration, a broken heart to mend.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, seeking Your mercy and restoration. Even in times of transgression, when we stumble and fall, when we lose sight of Your love and heed the world's call, we know in our hearts, Your mercy is always there, a  beacon of hope in the depths of despair. You remind us always of Your infinite grace that even in darkness, we can seek Your face. The possibility of redemption is never beyond our reach, a lesson that only Your love can teach. Help us to remember, in every situation that restoration is always a divine invitation. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to show mercy as we have been shown mercy, and to restore relationships that have been broken and help us to be instruments of Your mercy and restoration in the world. Guide us back in Your path of love and compassion, make our pathways clear and let us feel Your presence, ever near. In Jesus' holy name, we pray, Amen.

Even in times of adversity, let us have an unwavering faith in God. With challenges abound and uncertainties at pace, let us hold on to our faith knowing that in our trials, God's love is unfaltering. He shall guide us through our struggles, light our way in the dark, in every moment of hardship, His grace shall leave its mark. We may have lost something that is very valuable to us that made us experience deep sorrow and pain but, in the end, the Lord will again bring smiles to our faces and restore back all that we have lost.

1 By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. 3 For there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, and our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” 4 How could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! 6 May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, if I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. (Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6)

In times of adversity, when skies are grey, when hope seems distant, and we lose our way, let us hold steadfast, let our faith not sway, for God is our refuge, our light and our stay. Even when the storm rages, and winds blow wild, let us have faith, like an innocent child. In God's love and mercy, we are reconciled, even in adversity, His grace is compiled. Unwavering faith, a beacon so bright guiding us through the darkest night. In God's presence, we find our might, His love, our armor, and His wisdom, our light. So let us remember, come what may, to hold onto faith, to not dismay. For even in adversity, God will make a way, His love, our guide, every single day.

Heavenly Father, in times of adversity, when challenges abound, help us to keep our faith firm, let our resolve be sound. Even when the path is steep and our strength begins to wane, remind us of Your love, Your promise to sustain. In the face of trials, when doubts begin to rise, let our faith in You be unwavering, as clear as the skies for You are our refuge, our shield, and our guide, in Your wisdom and mercy, we take pride. Even in adversity, Your love remains our light guiding us through darkness, making our burdens light. So, we pray for strength, for courage, and for grace to keep unwavering faith in You, no matter what we face. In Jesus' holy name, we pray, Amen.

God brought us to life with Christ. His act of salvation is not something we earned through our works, but a gift from God, given out of His immeasurable grace and kindness. We are God’s handiwork, created for good works that He has prepared for us. Our purpose and calling is to live out these good works in our lives. Let us reflect on the depth of God’s love and mercy, the gift of salvation through faith, and our calling to live a life of good works in Christ Jesus. 

4 God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so no one may boast. 10 For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10)

In the beginning, darkness all around, in our transgressions, we were bound but then came a light, so bright and so vast, God brought us to life with Christ, at last. From the ashes of sin to the glory of grace, from the depths of despair to a loving embrace. With every heartbeat, with every breath, we are reminded of life, defeating death. In the shadow of the cross, under His wing, we found redemption, heard the angels sing. God's love, so profound, so deep and so wide brought us to life with Christ, our guide. So let us rejoice, let our voices soar for we were dead, but are alive evermore. God brought us to life with Christ, this we know, in His love, we live, we move, we grow.

Heavenly Father, in Your infinite love and mercy, You brought us to life with Christ. When we were lost in our transgressions, You gave us a new beginning, a chance to live in Your light, to experience Your grace. God, You breathed life into us, a life in Christ, a life filled with love, compassion, and righteousness. You lifted us from the depths of despair and set us on a path of salvation. We thank You for this gift, for the life we now live in Christ. Help us to honor this gift, to live as You have called us to live, to love as You have loved us, to serve as Christ served. In times of doubt, remind us of Your promise, in times of weakness, be our strength. In every moment, let us live in the truth that we have been brought to life with Christ. In Jesus' holy name, we pray, Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Book of Signs

NICODEMUS

John 3:1-21

Second Book of Chronicles

ZEDEKIAH / DISSOLUTION OF JUDAH / DECREE OF CYPRUS

2 Chronicles 36:13-14 / 15-21 / 22-23

Fifth Bool of Psalms 107-150

SORROW AND HOPE IN EXILE

Psalm 137:1-9

II: Unity of the Church in Christ

GENORITY OF GOD'S PLAN

Ephesians 2:1-10

Reflection Source:

Copilot in Edge

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

NICODEMUS

John 3:13-21

13 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 

so that he who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.18 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-begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

EARTHLY THINGS

NICODEMUS

John 3:7-15

7 Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’

8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?  

11 Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I tell you  about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?  

13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”