This week's readings Week of Mar. 30 - Apr. 5 Sunday, March 30, 2003 Reading I: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23 Reading II: Eph 2:4-10 Gospel: Jn 3:14-21 Monday, March 31, 2003 Reading I: Is 65:17-21 Gospel: Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday, April 1, 2003 Reading I: Ez 47:1-9, 12 Gospel: Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday, April 2, 2003 Reading I: Is 49:8-15 Gospel: Jn 5:17-30 Thursday, April 3, 2003 Reading I: Ex 32:7-14 Gospel: Jn 5:31-47 Friday, April 4, 2003 Reading I: Wis 2:1a, 12-22 Gospel: Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday, April 5, 2003 Reading I: Jer 11:18-20 Gospel: Jn 7:40-53 Pope's Prayer Intentions April General Intention Live according to the spirit: That those who hold positions of responsibility in the Church may be an example of a life responsive to the guidance of the Spirit. April Mission Intention The universal call to holiness: That clergy, religious, and laity who work in missionary lands, may bear witness to the universal call to holiness.

Not to condemn:
But to save the world

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

How appropriate in these days of a beginning war are the words of John's Gospel about the essence of Jesus' mission: "For 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

And it is certain that the world needs saving. Violence, poverty, injustice - these reign in too many parts of the world, even in our own country. People suffer in countless ways. Love is often far from human thinking. Human life is cheap. Peace is a distant dream.

"The world needs saving. Violence, poverty, injustice - these reign in too many parts of the world, even in our own country. People suffer in countless ways. Love is often far from human thinking. Human life is cheap. Peace is a distant dream."

Why, we might ask? John tells us: people prefer darkness to light, because their works are evil. Sin has an enormous power over us, if we permit that to happen. If we turn away from the light of Christ and allow selfishness, injustice, violence, hatred, racism, unforgiveness, and many other sinful attitudes to rule us, evil wins.

Yet "God who is rich in mercy," says Saint Paul, "brought us to life with Christ." By sending his Son to die for us on the Cross, God takes away the power of sin and death and restores to his people the power of life and light. Not to condemn, but to save, did God send Jesus his Son, so that we might not perish but live forever.

Readings for Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 30, 2003) 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21

How do we make that real today, when violence punishes many innocent people, when poverty crushes the human spirit, when injustice prevents the human heart from attaining the fullness of love to which we are called? These are difficult questions, and the answers are equally difficult.

Christ came not to condemn the world but to save it from the power of sin and death. He waged war on Satan and stormed the gates of Hell so that God's people might be set free. By his own blood Jesus liberated a people held in thrall by sin and hatred. Through the sacraments Jesus continually offers that freedom to the world. Through his Church the Gospel message continues to be preached to all peoples.

That Gospel message is one of peace, not violence. Of generous service and stewardship, not poverty. Of freedom and righteousness, not injustice. We who have received that Gospel and the gift of faith must pursue the good of every human person, whether born or unborn, elderly or young, rich or poor, white or black, Christian or not, American or not.

Such a challenge demands that we come together as a people united by what we all have in common: our humanity made in God's image and likeness, and our common destiny in God's love. Beneath our skin beat hearts of flesh and flows the blood that gives us life. No matter our language or creed we are brothers and sisters. We are created for eternal life: to live, not to perish.

May our prayers for peace show us to be people who can reach beyond all borders and barriers to unite against the evil of sin. May our efforts against violence, poverty, and injustice show us to be a Gospel people who preach Jesus' message of salvation to everyone, so that none are condemned but all may be saved in Christ.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.