God so loved the
world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him
might have eternal life. - John 3:16
This verse before the Gospel has always moved me. At first I would find myself asking, "Why would
anyone sacrifice something so big and so dear?" But as I have gotten older I have realized that God gave his only Son so that He could show us that He is always
suffering with us. I still read this passage and struggle with it, because it
is hard to understand a sacrifice of this magnitude, but as a sister, as a
daughter, and as a person, I realize that we are called to suffer with the
people we love.
Community in a time like
now is essential. This passage reminds me that we should be looking for our
friends, our family, our community and asking how they are, what they need, and
how we can be there! Sharing this walk together on this journey. God did not
have to send his only Son, and yet he did. Yes, it is our freedom to do as we
wish. But I think now more than ever I
will think again about going home to watch Netflix and instead maybe sharing my
life with a friend, helping us to walk together on this journey. I know that to
know that you are not alone is always a light that helps me keep moving down
the path of life, and now, during this Lenten season, my desire is to share that
with my community.
He who does not love does not know God for God is love. 1 John 4:8. John F. Longo 61.
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