4B LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 3:14-21, MARCH 10, 2024
1. STORY
Several years ago there was a fire in a home on the 11th floor of an apartment
building. The father fled the fire and
was on the ground floor when he realized that his 20-year-old daughter was
sleeping in their home. He immediately
ran back up the 11th floors, braved the fire and smoke, entered the apartment,
and carried her to safety. The father
saved his daughter who was in great danger of perishing. God loved us so much that he sent his only
son, Jesus, to save us as we were in great danger of perishing.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN 3:14-21
A. CHRIST CAME TO SAVE US.
This gospel states very clearly that “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.” Jesus has come
to save us so that we may have eternal life.
B. WE MUST BELIEVE IN JESUS.
The gospel tells us “Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.” We must believe in Jesus to have eternal life.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. HOW JESUS SAVES US.
Here are four ways in which Jesus saves us.
i) Jesus died on the Cross to open the doors of heaven for us.
ii) Jesus established the Catholic Church which is the family of God.
iii) Jesus gave us the seven sacraments as aids on our journey to heaven.
iv) Jesus gave us the Bible as an instruction book telling us how to follow his
example of living a victorious life.
B. HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH.
We must open our ears to hear good music, open our eyes to see a
beautiful flower, open our mouth to eat good food and open our hands to receive
good gifts. So, too, we must open our
hearts to Jesus so that he can strengthen our faith in him. Just as a flower needs water, sunshine, and
good soil to grow, so does our heart needs the help of Jesus who is able to make
us strong in faith. We must do the
following four things.
i) We must come to know Jesus better so as to understand how much he loves us.
ii) We must listen to the voice of the Catholic Church as the true guide as we
travel through life.
iii) We must receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
iv) We must read the Bible as God is speaking to us.
These four things will help strengthen our faith in him.
4. CONCLUSION
Just as the father saved his daughter who was in the burning building from
perishing, so did God the Father send his only Son, Jesus, to save us for
eternal life. Jesus has done his part
and we must do our part by believing in him. Jesus helps us to strengthen our faith. We must open our hearts to receive his help. We must learn more about him, be guided by the
Catholic Church, receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and read the
Bible and other good spiritual books. Jesus,
thank you for saving us and strengthening our faith.
