Back in the early '90's I was the Catholic Campus Minister at West Liberty State College and Bethany College in northern West Virginia. Our friend David Morris, God rest his soul, was once connected with Bethany College. Each week of football season I would get a call from a college student or two asking, "Father, do you know what that Jn 3:16 means? Is it a secret message or something from the Bible?" It was a great opportunity to share the Good News with college students.
We are reading from the 3rd Chapter of the Gospel of John at Mass this weekend. Contemporary Christians, like those who wave the “John 3:16” signs at sporting events, from football to tennis, ought to heed the caution of the eminent Johannine scholar Raymond Brown, against the naiveté that this passage sometimes engenders. The world is not exclusively neutral, nor is it patiently awaiting good news. There are many who are actively hostile to Jesus, to Christianity and its message.
I think those of us who are saved also need to pay attention to John 3:19 "but people preferred darkness to light, because their deeds were evil". Don't be surprised by persecution and hatred. The evil one is alive and active in the world. In fact, John illustrates that "the world" is usually at odds with Jesus (Jn 16:20; 17:14, 16; 18:36) and with his Spirit (14:17; 16:8-11). Worse, it hates Jesus and those who believe in and follow after him (Jn 7:7; 15:18-19; 16:20). That the inhabitants of the world preferred darkness to light earns them the name “children of darkness” (Jn 12:35-36). For this reason, Jesus refuses to pray for the world; instead, he defeats the world (Jn 16:33).
We also need to ask ourselves if we also prefer the darkness at times. These warnings from the Bible are meant to shine the Light on all of us! Most of us are not notorious sinners, but... Do we hedge a bit when God is asking us to share the faith? Do we make excuses when a neighbor is in need? Is comfort or being accepted by others more important than taking up the Cross in our words and actions? Do we hide the faith in our Churches and live like everyone else the rest of the week? God has given His Son--now the ball is in your court.
Let the Light of Jesus Christ shine on your life and in your heart!
Prayerfully, Father Mike