God So Loved the World

‘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. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’ John 3:16-21

The writer of the Gospel of John reflects often about God's love for us. John 3:16 is one of the most famous passages from the New Testament.  Our love for one another and for our families and children is imperfect. Repeatedly John's gospel tells us about perfect love, sacrificial love and the source of love in our Creator. None of us can achieve perfect, sacrificial love in our lives, and yet, our God is our source for unending and unlimited love and healing. God's love is always about restoring the whole world, not one person or one country, but the whole of creation.

Loving Creator, you offer yourself

for the life of this world and creation

the beautiful the tragic and all things

are central to the concern of your heart.

We often feel ignored and overlooked

we think we do not count in your eyes

yet you are always loving and sacrificial

and you seek us out in our darkest moments.

Help us to open our hearts to your love

give us your heart of selfless compassion

make us the bearers of your heart

so we might offer your love to the world. Amen.