Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 4th Week in Lent – Sunday – Cycle B – John 3:14-21

The daily Gospel reading from the Mass for Sunday Cycle B of the 4th Week in Lent is John 3:14-21.

After approaching Christ in the dark of the night, Nicodemus, a member of the ruling Jewish council (Sanhedrin), is emphatically told by Christ that men must be born from “on high” with a baptism by the Holy Spirit and that He is the Son of Man from Heaven who will be crucified. Christ  rebuked Nicodemus for his lack of understanding, but with great mercy begins to reveal His true identity and mission. Christ confirms the stark choice each man must make to seek salvation or condemnation.

Christ offers uplifting revelation for all men. God exists. God is the Father who has an only Son.  Out of love, the Father has sent the Son in to the world for the salvation of men. The Son is the light to who draws good men who believe in Him and do good deeds (the “true”).  Men’s good deeds are not the result of men’s goodness, but because God works through those who believe in Him. Each man who believes and does good works through God is a testimony (“may be clearly seen”) that gives glory to God and secures their salvation.

But Christ also gives men a deadly warning of Judgement and condemnation. Men who rebelliously refuse to believe in in Christ, the only Son of God, are condemned. Evil men, who hate God, run from Christ the Light of the World, for He exposes their evil; evil men love their evil and seek to hide under the cover of darkness. Condemnation awaits the evil.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ confirms the reality of God the Father and that He is the only Son of God. Divine Mercy, Christ reveals the great love the Father has for men. The Divine Word is the Light of the World.  Son of Man, Christ reveals that He is the “light” to whom men who believe are drawn and evil men avoid. Divine Judge, Christ reveals all men’s deeds are known, that believing men are saved and evil men are condemned.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Meditate upon Christ’s strong assurance of God’s Truth and Love (see CCC 214-231) and be strengthened in God’s Divine Mercy for you.

2) Christ confirms the truth about the Judgment, salvation and condemnation and that each man has a choice. During Lent, renew your understanding of Article 7 of the Creed, “He will come again to judge…” (CCC 668-682) and pray for Christ’s help to prepare for your own unavoidable judgment.

3) Men look at porn in the “dark”, hidden from the Light of Christ and so that others do not discover their sin (wives, girlfriends, children, co-workers); pornography is a grave sin against chastity (CCC 2354). During Lent, recommit to battle the temptation to view pornography and pray for the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, to pray for you.