of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 WEEK TWENTY THREE – ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 WEEK TWENTY THREE – ORDINARY TIME

SENT INTO THE WORLD (Jn 3:13-17)

Prayer:

O Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross to save me.

Imagination:

Picture Jesus teaching Nicodemus.

Context:

This gospel contains the famous John 3:16 verse about God so loving the world.  It explains that God’s motive was to save, not to condemn.  However, anyone who rejects this light is subject to God’s judgment.

Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)

Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)

  1. When the Israelites in the desert disobeyed God, they grew sick from a serpent’s bite.
  2. God provided the remedy.  When Moses nailed a bronze serpent to a cross, whoever gazed on it was saved. (Numbers C21)
  3. This story prefigured Jesus being lifted up on the cross to save us.
  4. God sent Jesus because “he so loved the world”.
  5. Through faith in Jesus, all can be saved.
  6. Jesus is the eternal light. 
  7. Evil people do not want this light.  It reveals their deeds.
  8. Good people rejoice to have their deeds revealed. They act in truth.

Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)

  • Jesus, you were lifted up on the cross for me.
  • Only your cross can save me from eternal death.
  • Father, loving me so much, you sacrificed your Son to save me.
  • I believe.  I accept you, Jesus.  You are the Father’s only begotten Son.
  • Come Jesus.  Reveal my heart.  Make me a child of light.
  • Open my heart to light and truth.

Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)

+ I will thank Jesus for dying on the cross.

+ I will bring all my sins into Jesus’ light.

Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)