Wednesday, May 1, 2019 — John 3:16 and Beyond

Many of our Protestant brothers and sisters point to John 3:16 as must-memorize material: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Indeed, it’s a great bit of Sacred Scripture to have on hand; it is a foundational element of the faith that those who believe in Christ have a proven path to Heaven.

However, the entirety of today’s Gospel selection from John 3:16-21 should also be firmly in our minds. There is so much here, especially about our relationship with work and acts. In fact, I’m going to do the video equivalent of slowing down to frame-by-frame speed, and really point out something I feel is vital.

John 3:17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Christ does not want the world to suffer; John 3:17 makes clear that salvation is possible for the whole world. We should view this belief with an optimistic eye. We would have little use for a fire department whose goal was to limit destruction by fire to 30% of the city, leaving 70% of the town’s structures and citizens to perish amid flames. When fire erupts, we want losses to be minimal, and we do what we can to keep the fire’s touch from inflicting too heavy a cost; any loss is lamentable. In the same way, we should not view Christianity with an eye to keeping our own flock safe and stable in size; we should do what we can to spread the word to as much of the world as we can.

John 3:18Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. Sometimes others view Christians as judgmental, but we aren’t . . . not really. We are tellers of truth. A doctor who evaluates your condition and says, “You are going to die within a year” is not condemning you to death; the facts of your medical condition are condemning you to death. In a similar way, we as Christians are not judging nonbelievers to be denied Heaven; we are merely reporting the facts as we understand them. Again, there should not be any glee in our hearts at the prospect of nonbelievers being denied Heaven; we should remain ever humble in our hopes that those who have yet to see the light do so before it is too late.

John 3:19And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. Here is the sentence where the entirety of this passage begins to come together, in a way that didn’t really click for me until I read it with eyes freshly reopened from the Easter-season miracle. I’m not going to say why until two paragraphs from now – I’m trying to build a bit of suspense here – but it’s important. However, I’ll note that this line does something interesting. Namely, it points out that judgment is an ongoing concern; it’s not something saved solely for future generations or some unknowable tomorrow. This is the verdict. People preferred darkness. We as Christians have chosen a lighter path, but at the time of the Crucifixion, the crowds wanted Barabbas, and there are still far too many people today who want Barabbas.

John 3:20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. This is an interesting line. It points to wickedness as being much more active than we’ve generally believed. Of course, active disbelief is a sin (see 2123-2128 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church for a discussion of atheism and agnosticism, including this gem of a line: “Agnosticism is all too often equivalent to practical atheism”). But John 3:20 seems to really be drawing up the connection between those who “hate the light” and those who commit evil works.

John 3:21But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. Here we tie in this entire passage together, with a fact that I teased a couple of paragraphs earlier. Namely, that this Gospel makes clear the intimate connection between faith and works. Those who commit evil deeds must hate the light. Those whose works are evil prefer darkness to light. Those who accept Christ want to do good works, “works . . . done in God.”

Many of our Protestant friends say that works are not necessary, and that by faith alone we are saved. But if you read the fullness of this most-beloved of Gospel selections, it’s clear the association between works and deeds. It’s true that we cannot “buy” our way into heaven with good deeds; rather, good deeds are a result of living a true, honest, considered life with Christ. And when we’re trying to form lives with Jesus, performing Christ-focused good works can develop the discipline and habits needed to live as free from sin as we can.

By all means, accept Christ in your heart! And know that through him salvation is possible. But it is in deeds that the light of Christ is brought into the world. As Pope Francis said on July 21, 2013, “In our Christian life . . . may prayer and action always be deeply united. A prayer that does not lead you to practical action for your brother — the poor, the sick, those in need of help, a brother in difficulty — is a sterile and incomplete prayer.” So, then, may the truth of God’s love for the world spur us to joy, to hope for salvation for all, and — perhaps most importantly — to action.

Today’s readings: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21

About the Author

Despite being a professional writer and editor for over 15 years, Steven Marsh is more-or-less winging it when it comes to writing about matters of faith. Steven entered the church in 2005, and since then he's been involved with various ministries, including Pre-Cana marriage prep for engaged couples, religious education for kindergarteners, and Stephen Ministry's one-on-one caregiving. Steven lives in Indiana with his wife and son. Despite having read the entirety of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he's still surprised at elements he rediscovers or reflects upon in new ways. The more Steven learns about the faith, the less he feels he knows; he's keen to emphasize that any mistakes are his own.

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8 Comments

  1. Thank you for the reminder that I should be doing something as well as praying. I’ve been here at the hospital with my mother for almost a month & I see someone at least once a day who looks lonely, homeless, sickly, tired or struggling. It’s a great reminder that I can help someone even though I’m having difficulties as well.
    Adore Jesus!!!

  2. Really amazing stuff. There is a lot there in todays Gospel. In the end its love, truth, light and good works. Thanks for going into details and depth. Such a great understanding and breakdown…no darkness here!

  3. Thank you for this reflection. Today is the five Anniversary of my sister’s death. She left this earth by suicide and I still have a difficult time accepting her loss. Today’s reflection is a comfort to me knowing what a strong faith my sister had. I truly believe she is looking down on me and letting me know that if I stay on the same spiritual path she was on, we will be together again one day.

  4. Hey Steven,

    It was about 4 years ago that you wrote “Santa or Gravity?”, which I still read on occasion. With that reflection, you put into words what I could not. Today’s reflection on the Gospel of John concerning 3:16, which you seem to always get, is on par with “Santa or Gravity?”.

    Keep up the excellent work my friend.

    Mark

  5. Thank YOU Steven,
    I forwarded this to all my friends and brothers at our Saint Vincent DePaul group.

  6. Today the Church commemorates St. Joseph, the Worker. St. Joseph is the perfect example that faith and works go together – you can’t have one without the other. I share with you this beautiful prayer to St. Joseph

    Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope St. Pius X
    Catholic Online Prayers
    Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honor to employ and to develop by labor the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty to work; above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so baneful to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity.

    God bless

  7. Thank you, Dan. You did an awesome job breaking down the versus.

    Chris,
    What a beautiful prayer. I always struggle with work—it seems to take over my life. I am reminded by this prayer that I am merely applyin the gifts God blessed me with, for this job has provided for me and my family very well. At the time I got this job I was certain that He led me here and that I was exactly where He wanted me to me. Here I will remain until He tells me it’s time to move on.

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