Fourth Sunday in Lent
Jesus said, “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. 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 judgment, 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 3:14-21Sometimes we cannot face the light, whether it is from shame or fear of scrutiny. Some of us, even when we are really working at being faithful can slip into negative behavior and attitudes. Sometimes life is just a struggle, and we have to admit that. We are human, prone to selfishness and greed, and we often fail ourselves and others. To all the broken places and people, John's Gospel today reminds us that "God so loved the world." Our Creator noticed our suffering and our pain and sent Jesus for our healing and redemption. We can hold our heads up, in the light of day, knowing we are all broken and all loved by God so much.
A Litany for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Wonderful Creator, your love for us is endless
from sea to shore over mountains and deep beneath
you love us in our incomplete and broken selves
and you sent Jesus to bring us your loving light.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.
We scurry like frightened insects at your presence
fearing your anger and not seeing your love
we judge others for their mistakes and failures
and hide our own believing you cannot see them.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.
This Lenten season break open our hearts again
let you light warm us and move us to compassion
help us to rise from the messes we have created
and open our eyes to see your love coming to us.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.
We are always stumbling and falling down
lift us up so we might serve the whole world.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.
We try to hide our mistakes and cruelty
help us to move into the light of your healing love.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light.
For you have sent us a Son to redeem the world
and we need that light and love now and always.
Precious Lord, help us to believe and receive your light. Amen.
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