Pause

Take a moment to still yourself. Take a deep breath and ask God for a renewed sense of presence with you in this moment.

Opening Prayer

O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Sing or listen

FIRST READING

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R: Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

SECOND READING

Ephesians 2:4-10

Gospel

John 3:14-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
‘The Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
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.

No one who believes in him will be condemned;
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,
because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.

On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world
men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil.

And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it,
for fear his actions should be exposed;
but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light,

so that it may be plainly seen that what he does
is done in God.’

This section is designed to be adapted depending on how you are gathering to pray. There are links to external resources for children and young people. There is also a reflection which can be used by individuals or adapted to be used in groups.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, you have given us the greatest gift, life with you. You wish for us to not only live, but to live life with abundance and fullness. We thank you for your example of true love and sacrifice. We ask that, with the help of your Holy Spirit, you may help us unravel the deeper meaning of this Scripture passage. Help us understand the ways in which you have called us to serve and follow you. Give us the courage and strength to prune anything out of our lives that does not bring us closer to you. In your most holy and precious name we pray. Amen.