Sunday 14 September 2025 - Eternal life

Sunday 14 September 2025

Today is Sunday the 14th of September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, beginning the 24th week of Ordinary Time. The community of Taizé sing Dieu ne peut que donner son amour: “God can only give faithful love, tenderness and forgiveness.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. John 3:13-17 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. In the Book of Numbers, God saves those people who have been bitten by venomous snakes when they look towards a bronze snake held up on a pole. Here, Jesus uses this image to explain to Nicodemus his coming crucifixion. Take a moment to ponder on how these two images illuminate each other. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son”. What does that tell you about God’s feelings for the world, and everyone in it? “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn”. Many people would think of the Church, and of Christians, as condemning them and what they do. How would you want to respond to them? Notice, as the passage is read for a second time, about the kind of picture of God, and of Jesus, that it leaves you with. John 3:13-17 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. You might want to speak with this same loving, saving God, who has no interest in condemning people, for a moment or two as this prayer comes to an end. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen