Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
March 7, 2027 · John 3:14-21
God so loved the world
It is “Laetare” Sunday, the Sunday of joy, in the middle of Lent. Jesus says that God so loved the world that he gave his Son. John 3:14-21
Liturgical color: violet (rosado donde se acostumbre)
This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words
Jesus told Nicodemus about the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up in the desert. He said that he too would be lifted up in the same way. John 3:14
So everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. John 3:15
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. So whoever believes in him does not perish, but has eternal life. John 3:16
Whoever believes in him is not condemned. John 3:18
The light came into the world, but people preferred darkness, because their works were evil. John 3:19-20
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light. John 3:21
What the Bible says
John 3:14-21
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting. 16For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. 17For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. 18He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. 20For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. 21But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The other readings at Mass
First Reading
The people did not listen to the prophets, and Jerusalem was destroyed. Years later, King Cyrus lets them go back to rebuild the Temple. 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Responsorial Psalm
By the rivers of Babylon, the exiles weep as they remember Jerusalem. Psalm 137:1-6
Second Reading
God is rich in mercy. We are saved by his grace, through faith. Ephesians 2:4-10
The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org
What the Church teaches
The bronze serpent
This is how the Church understands it: the bronze serpent was a sign that pointed ahead to the salvation Jesus brings.
Catechism 2130
Out of love
The Church teaches that Jesus freely accepted his death, out of love for the Father and for everyone, to save us.
Catechism 609
The color rose
On this Sunday the priest may wear rose instead of violet.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346
To read with your children
God loves us very, very much. John 3:16
Out of love, he gave us his Son Jesus. John 3:16
Jesus said that the light came into the world. John 3:19
Whoever does good comes close to the light. John 3:21
How can you be a light for others?
To talk about as a family
- “For God so loved the world…” How do we notice that God loves us?
- Is there something we do in secret because we know it is not right? How can we bring it into the light?
- For the child: can you learn John 3:16 by heart?
This week
This week, learn John 3:16 by heart together. Write it on a piece of paper and put it where everyone can see it.
To pray
Good Father, you loved us so much that you gave us your Son. May we live in the light and rejoice as Easter draws near. Amen.