Faith Reflection and RE News

Faith Reflection

John 3:14-21 -God sent his Son into the world that we might be saved through him.

In this week’s Gospel, we listen to a passage said by Jesus to Nicodemus: “Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.” There is a lot to unpack in this passage and its more extended form. 

First, we come to the question of God giving his only son. How can the son – Jesus be given by God if he is also God himself? This isn’t even including the Holy Spirit that is mentioned later in the Bible. 

As important as this concept is, it is not the key message in the passage. Rather, God gives something to save the world and give eternal life to all people. God gives the most precious thing – his son. 

As we read the New Testament, there is a dramatic change in relationship between people and God. In the Old Testament, people are bonded to God through covenants or what can be seen as deals. When people do not live up to the bargain, they are punished through the floods in Noah’s Ark, the destruction of the tower of Babel, or at the very start, banished from the Garden of Eden. Through Jesus, we see an almost new God emerge – one who is willing to give everything out of love for people. God is our Father and carer. He is not just someone with whom we strike a deal out of convenience. Many theologians would observe that in fact, this “change in God” is not a change at all, but rather through Jesus, we come to a fuller realization of who God is. Much like seeing God for the first time with the lights in the room turned on. 

While there are a lot of theological ideas that can be explored, there is one overarching message that we should take away from this. That God loves us unconditionally. In spite of our frailties, sinfulness, and imperfection, the more we know about God, the more we learn the boundless limits of God for each of us. Yes, there are over 8 billion people in this world not including the billions that have come before. However, each of us has a very direct and personal connection with God. 

This week, we are called to remember that we are never truly alone and even in our darkest moments, God is constantly cheering us on and supporting us in ways that we may never know. This week, we are called to have faith that through God, all will be well.

St John Vianney, 

Pray for us

By Jonathan Rooney - Religious Education Leader 

RE News 

Sacrament Dates

Please see the dates for the Sacraments. We are keeping our Reconciliation children in our prayers as they prepare for the Sacrament next week. 

First Reconciliation  - Saturday 16th March @ 11.00am 

Confirmation -  Sunday 28th @ 2.00pm 

First Communion -  Saturday 9th November @ 6.00pm 

Sunday 10th November @ 10.00am 

Saturday 16th November @ 6.00pm 

Sunday 17th November @ 10.00am 

Project Compassion

A friendly reminder that St John Vianney's is raising money for project compassion. A HUUUGEE thank you to everyone who has contribued so far. We have raised $240.00 and we are trying to beat our record of $420.00 from last year. Every cent counts!