Son of God – Reflection on John 3:16-18
In the words of St. John of the Cross, “The Blessed Trinity inhabits the soul by divinely illumining its intellect with the wisdom of the Son, delighting its will in the Holy Spirit, and absorbing it powerfully and mightily in the unfathomed embrace of the Father’s sweetness.” The world must see us walk with wisdom and delight and be embraced by the Trinity that St. John of the Cross so eloquently speaks of. God’s light inside each of us can drive back darkness to reveal the truth of the Father’s love by giving us Jesus, the Son of God, and making the Holy Spirit obvious. Because we are all united by the inseparable unity of God in our souls, harm to one of us ripples to all. However, the more offsetting weight of the Father’s sweetness illuminates the light of love from any one of us to shine brightly on all.
What Our Lord Saw from the Cross by James Tissot, painting at full resolution.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
John 3:16-18 – Scripture*
16 “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.
17 “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. 18 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.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 3:16-18 – The Father’s Sweetness.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 3 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Discussion group on Facebook on St. John of the Cross.
Discussion group on Facebook on Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Son of God