“Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also called “Laetare Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday,” similar to “Gaudete Sunday” in Advent, that our joy in anticipation of the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ cannot be contained.

The central theme of today’s readings emphasizes that our salvation is the free gift of a merciful God, given to us through His Son Jesus Christ, and stresses that God’s mercy and compassion, His great love, kindness and grace are extended to us in Christ. We, as an act of love and gratitude to God who is “rich in mercy” and as an expression of our faith, are invited to share Christ’s sufferings by doing penance during Lent, so that we may inherit our eternal salvation and the glory of His resurrection in heaven.

Jesus being “lifted up” foreshadows His crucifixion who carries the sins of the world. Just as the cross was the way to glory for Jesus, so it is for us. Without the cross, there is no crown of salvation.  

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to repent our sins, reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to live a holy life to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we love the cross, the symbol of God’s forgiving and merciful love, appreciate Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.