One of the most recognized and memorized verses in the Bible comes from this week’s Gospel reading. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). What does this really mean? God does not only love the world itself, but everyone who is, was, and ever will be on it. God loves you just as you are at this very moment you are reading this reflection - flaws and all. God sent Jesus in the flesh to enter our world here on earth, to save us by dying on the cross. Jesus, a man free of sin, stood in our place as sinners to be crucified on the cross and receive the punishment meant for us. In many ways we deserve to perish, but because of this very love John talks about in today’s Gospel, believing in God will grant us eternal life and save us from Hell. How awesome is it, that we can never go one second without being unconditionally loved? As awesome as it is, in the midst of everyday life, it can be easily forgotten.

 A year ago, we were about to begin what we thought would be two weeks of virtual classes. As the weeks went on and weeks turned into months, we soon realized “normal” would have a new meaning. For some of us, the global pandemic brought us closer to our families and allowed us to discover new hobbies. Unfortunately, for some of us, it meant feeling isolated and suffering different forms of loss. Despite all of the things that have changed, one thing that will always remain constant is God’s love for each one of us.

Each morning, we step out into a world that could accept or reject us. At some point in our day or week, we are faced with serpents. These serpents can be present in the form of evil, hurt, destruction, temptation, and even people we live on this earth with. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says to Nicodemous, a pharisee who struggled to express his faith, “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 3:12). When a serpent is on the ground it can only see things from an earthly perspective. As hard as it is to lift someone up to God who we view as undeserving, we must keep in mind the second commandment to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves. Serpents are just as loved by God and deserve to know him as much as we do.

 If we can believe we are children of God and a light in the world, we will experience the freedom  salvation grants us in eternal life. Take advantage of this time when people are feeling hopeless to go out into the world letting God’s light shine through you and set the world on fire. St. Francis, a guy we have all come to know during our time at Neumann once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Take today’s Gospel message and remind people they are children of a God who loves them unconditionally. The gesture does not have to be large, but something very small. Hold the door for someone, pay for your friend’s coffee, smile (with your eyes) at a stranger in the grocery store, or leave an encouraging sticky note on the fridge for your roommate. A little can go a long way.

As the end of Lent draws near and we get closer to Jesus’ resurrection, may we keep in mind that the same love that paved the way to the cross is the same love God has placed in each of us.