John 3:14–21
REFLECT
Nicodemus, the Pharisee, goes to see Jesus in secret. And in their conversation, Jesus explains to him that the Son of Man must be lifted up. The Crucifixion, Pope Benedict XVI teaches, “is the culmination of that turning of God against himself in which he gives himself in order to raise man up and save him. This is love in its most radical form.” Jesus gives his life on the cross so that we can understand that we were made and redeemed by a God who radically loves us. It’s a complete giving of himself. It’s the Christian way of love. And that’s why we rejoice today. We celebrate this Sunday because we have seen the sign of love: the glory of the Crucified One, the cross, the wood of our salvation.
PRAY
Heavenly Father, banish from my heart every sorrow and sadness. Give me a renewed spirit of joy. Allow my heart to rejoice this day, for I, who was once lost, have been found. Amen.
LIVE
Host a Laetare Sunday dinner. Arrange your dinner table with festive decorations, using rose, the liturgical color of the day, as an accent.