WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 3:16-21) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” (Jn 3:19)

FIRST READING - Acts 5:17-26

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

The high priest rose up and all his companions,

that is, the party of the Sadducees,

and, filled with jealousy,

laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,

led them out, and said,

"Go and take your place in the temple area,

and tell the people everything about this life."

When they heard this,

they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.

When the high priest and his companions arrived,

they convened the Sanhedrin,

the full senate of the children of Israel,

and sent to the jail to have them brought in.

But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,

so they came back and reported,

"We found the jail securely locked

and the guards stationed outside the doors,

but when we opened them, we found no one inside."

When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,

they were at a loss about them,

as to what this would come to.

Then someone came in and reported to them,

"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area

and are teaching the people."

Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,

but without force,

because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 3:16-21

From the Gospel according to John

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.

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.

And this is the verdict,

that the light came into the world,

but people preferred darkness to light,

because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light

and does not come toward the light,

so that his works might not be exposed.

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,

so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER - Gospel (John 3:16-21)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Easter is the time for people to realize that the most precious gift that God has given to humanity is His only Son, Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son" into the world to save mankind. He sent His Son into the world not to condemn or punish the world, but to love mankind and to save them from the slavery of sin and the captivity of Satan.

God is love, and His love is stronger than death. No one has a love as great as His. That love surpasses all human love—it surpasses the love of parents, husband and wife, and children. He sacrificed His life and died to redeem humanity's sins; that is God's love for humanity. No one can weigh, measure, count, or evaluate the love of the Holy Trinity.

Today's Word of God reveals that Jesus Christ is the light. He came into the world to dispel the darkness from humanity. Wherever His light goes, the darkness must retreat. Wherever the name of Jesus Christ is spoken, Satan must retreat to its hidden corner.

Those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came into the world to become a human being to redeem humanity's sins, will be saved. They will be able to step out of the darkness and onto the path of God's light: the path of love, truth, and righteousness.

Those who still deliberately walk in the darkness, following the path of the world, will be very afraid of the light of God coming to them. If they are not determined to abandon the path of sin, abandon the path of darkness, and follow the path of God's light and truth, then they will forever be with Satan.

God is a loving and merciful Father. He always opens His arms to invite all His children to:

-Come out into the light; follow the path of truth, follow the path of true love, and then you will be saved and have eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven with God.

-Stand up and return to God. Convert your life and put on the light of Christ—the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty—to have perfect happiness with Him forever.

-Live with faith, hope, and love, which God has given and taught to the children of mankind, and be closely united with God every day in this life and the next in love.

Thanks be to God. Amen.