For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Eternal life starts now, living as people who are already loved and held,

instead of living like we’re still trying to qualify.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 5:17-26

The High Priest

And all his supporters, that is, the party of the Sadducees, became very jealous

of the apostles; so they arrested them and had them thrown into the public jail.

But an angel of the Lord opened the door of the prison during the night,

brought them out, and said to them, "Go and stand  in the temple court

and tell the people the whole of this living message."

Accordingly, they entered the temple at dawn and resumed their teaching.

 

When the High Priest and his supporters arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin,

that is the full Council of the elders of Israel. They sent word to the jail to have

the prisoners brought in. But when the temple guards arrived at the jail,

they did not find them inside; so they returned with the news,

"We found the prison securely locked, and the prison guards

at their post outside the gate; but when we opened the gate, we found no one inside."

 

Upon hearing these words, the captain of the temple guard and the high priests were baffled,

wondering where all of this would end. Just then, someone arrived with the report,

"Look, those men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, teaching the people."

Then the captain went off with the guards and brought them back,

but without any show of force, for fear of being stoned by the people.

 

Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 3:16-21

Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever

believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life.

God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world;

instead, through him the world is to be saved. Whoever believes in him

will not be condemned. He who does not believe is already condemned,

because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

 

This is how Judgment is made: Light has come into the world,

and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For whoever does wrong hates the light, and doesn't come to the light,

for fear that his deeds will be seen as evil. But whoever lives according

to the truth comes into the light,

so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in God."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Reflection:

He gave His one and only Son.

God's profound love for the world is encapsulated

in the truth of John 3:16, which declares, "For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not

perish but have eternal life." This divine act of love demonstrates

the immeasurable depth of God's mercy, grace, and desire for humanity's salvation.

The gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, is the ultimate expression of this love,

offering redemption and the promise of eternal life to all who accept Him.

 

Yet, for Christians today, embracing and living out

this gift presents significant challenges. In a world filled with division,

selfishness, and indifference, reflecting God's selfless love requires intentionality

and sacrifice. The allure of materialism and personal ambition often distracts

 

believers from fully surrendering to God's will. Additionally,

sharing the message of salvation in an increasingly secular society may encounter

resistance or misunderstanding. However, these challenges invite Christians to deepen

their faith, embody Christ's love, and boldly proclaim the hope of salvation in both word and action.