Jesus said: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever dies not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you are true God and true man, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. I believe that you walked on this earth to reveal yourself to me and to show me the way. I hope in you, Lord, because you are the One the Father sent. I hope in you because you came to redeem me from my sins. I love you Lord for opening the gates of heaven for me. I love you because you have stayed in the Tabernacle to be with me and to accompany me here on earth.

Petition: Lord, help me to love you back for your coming into the world.

1. God loved the world. When you made the earth, the moon and the stars, you were pleased with what you made. You saw that all of it was good. You had no reservations. You were pleased with what you created. You have given us such a special predilection over all of the planets and creatures, giving us an atmosphere in which to breathe, an apt climate in which to live, and all of the conditions necessary to live. How much love you have for us, Lord, because you have allowed us to live and move and be. It seems Lord, like you always have more ways to show your love for us: you invite us to participate in your friendship through Baptism; you forgive us our sins; you offer yourself to us in the Eucharist; you remain in the Tabernacle so as to stay with us. When it seemed like there would be no successor to the Chair of St. Peter like Pope John Paul II, you gave us Pope Benedict. How much you love us, and how much you keep loving us, and love us immensely!

2. He gave his only Son. Lord is there any greater sign of your love for us than to give us your Son? No greater sign of your love, Lord, could you give us than to send your Son into the world. Not only did you give your Son to us, but you gave him to us so that we may be freed from sin and have the chance to one day experience you forever in heaven. You gave us your Son, Lord, without any condition. You held nothing back when you gave him to us. This sign of love that you have for us, Lord, takes on its most radical form in the crucifixion of Christ. You give your Son to us, so that we put him to death, and in doing so, you redeem us. What good would life have been to us, had Christ had not come as our Redeemer? Father, how wonderful you care for us! How boundless your merciful love! To ransom a slave, you gave away your Son, (Exultet).

3. Everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. What good is this life if there is nothing that follows it? What is there to live for if I am living for here and now? Vanity of vanities! All is vanity and chasing of the wind, (Ecclesiastes 1, 2). Lord, this is what life is all about. It is not about here and now. It is about eternity. You made us for yourself. Our hearts and souls are aching to be with you, and we hope one day to spend eternity with you. You sent Christ so that we may be with you forever. We cannot achieve this if we do not love. The faith that we have in God is not a faith where we simply acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, and then allow for greed, sensuality, or vanity to be more important than my belief in God. You want the goodness of my actions to confirm the truth of my faith. True faith shines through in what we do. Lord, as you show in the parable of the sheep and goats, my actions make a difference. My faith in you should be evident by my lifestyle. My faith in you is not apart from my actions. Let my faith in you be visible, so that I may one day be with you forever.

Conversation: Lord Jesus, I love you. I want my love for you to be a real response to your coming into the world. I do not want to be a sunny-weather friend where I follow my feelings and let my love for you be a false love.

Questionnaire:

1. What do I do to show God I believe that he has loved me in an extraordinary way?

2. What do I do to strengthen my faith and love for God: read the Scriptures? Spend time in adoration? Spread my faith to others? What do I do in my prayer to God?

3. How could a stranger tell from my actions that I believe in eternal life?