2 CHRONICLES 3:14-17, 19-23
The First Reading reveals anew how God’s judgment and God’s grace are like two sides of the same sphere. We hear how God’s patience is extended over Israel even though they scorn and dismiss God’s messengers – the prophets. Ultimately Israel pushes God to the point where the necessary remedy is the severe mercy of exile. We cling to the hope that in the end God will lavish divine mercy on us all and that His light will find its way even into the most intense darkness in ourselves and our world.
JOHN 3:14-21
The Gospel Reading gives us the chance to understand more clearly divine judgment. Whoever scorns God’s love condemns themselves. It is God’s desire for no one to be lost and for all to be saved. The task is ours, however, to accept God’s love so that it can prove effective and fruitful in our daily living. This is true belief. Those who choose otherwise and tragically reject God’s love condemn themselves.
