From Br. Joseph —
From today’s Gospel reading, John 3:16-17:
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Here is another way to see this Scripture passage through a beautiful little poem1 by St. Francis of Assisi.
I think God might be a little prejudiced.
For once He asked me to join Him on a walk through this world.And we gazed into every heart on this earth,
And I noticed He lingered a bit longer
Before any face that was weeping,
And before the eyes that were laughing.And sometimes when we passed a soul in worship,
God too would kneel down.I have come to learn:
God adores His creation.
Reflect love. Surrender to grace.
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us…
1 Poem from Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, translated by Daniel Ladinsky