Gospel for September 14 2025 – John 3: 13-17
Gospel Reflections for September 14 2025
How is this a victory?!
Today we celebrate a counter-intuitive event where we celebrate the cross upon which Jesus was horribly crucified.
Everything about it seems to evoke horror and sorrow. Why is this exalted?
There are two reasons, and they are the main reasons that this crucified Jesus is often the largest thing you will see in every Catholic Church around the world.
Jesus came to our world to bring us the love of God, and nothing would stop Him from that mission. He knew that it would be your acceptance of God’s love that would help you abandon sin and choose love, and finally find the lasting happiness that is God’s will for you. Yet, by the time that Jesus arrived, the world was a very sinful place full of bad people.
Yet, even on the cross, Jesus still brings God’s love. He gives His mother to the care of John. He tells the repentant thief next to Him that he will be in heaven soon. Most amazingly, He even asks God to “Forgive His executioners, since they do not know what they are doing.” Even His crucifixion, the most horrible of Roman cruelty, cannot stop His love!
The cross first reveals God’s immense and unstoppable love.
The cross also reveals the depth of where sin can go. Sinful people can horribly execute a perfectly innocent man …who dies too young.
When you look at the cross, you can see both infinite and compassionate love and the depth of the results of human depravity.
At the time of Jesus death, the Roman Empire ruled the entire western world with ruthless and extraordinary cruelty …that was actually admired! Julius Caesar became leader precisely for killing over one million innocent Gaul’s, in the area of modern France today. 2025 years later, the whole world is horrified at any news event where innocent people are harmed. That is an amazing reversal!
Why is the whole world so horrified now? That is the legacy of 2025 years of Christianity, and the centuries of people everywhere seeing the image of the completely innocent Son of God on the cross. Now, the entire world always comes to the aid of any victim, any underdog, and anyone one who is in trouble.
The Cross shows you both the horror of human sinfulness …but also its failure to stop God’s immense and total love for you.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Wow Father!
I loved your Gospel Reflection this morning Father and how It so relates to me on what is going on today in this world we live in:
How a man was currently assassinated for bringing millions of young people, all over the country, back into Christianity, and how even though it is very difficult, we need to “ Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do”. This man disregarded all risks associated with what he was doing, in place of his love of God. A true Apostle.
Yes, indeed! Well said!
Dear Fr. Dave,
Your comments are very timely! Sadly, though, the whole world isn’t horrified at the depths of human depravity against the innocent. Sadly, many celebrate and laugh at such horror. I used the example of Ancient Rome and the feeding of Christians to the lions to the roar of the mob with my two teen boys in yesterday as analogous to the glee, desensitization and dehumanization that is bellowing throughout social media in these troubled times.
Thank you for your insight and your optimism. It is so appreciated. So much prayer is needed for our world!
God bless you!
Jennifer
I think your comparison to the cheering of romans at the martyrdom of early Christians is excellent. Well done!
Thank you so much, Fr Heney for your Reflections. I have been trying koto search my soul for and answer for the horrible death of such an innocent and loving person. I had so much anger and frustration and feelings I just didn’t feel comfortable with. As i read your reflection and see the words, Forgive them, Father, for they know to what they do, I just had a peace and joy come over me. My heart and mind felt at ease and i asked myself the question, what would Jesus do if he was here right now looking at all the hateful acts and injustice. He would say the same thing! If love and forgiveness does not prevai in our minds and hearts, we will never be at peace. Thank you again, Fr Heney for special words.
You are very welcome! You understood the article well.
Beautiful words as always our loving Father Dave!! We need to overwhelm the world with our precious Jesus’ loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee for every life taken is our family!!I think of the terrible tragedy in Minneapolis!! That was my class in church! Those were my students! That tragedy ripped our hearts! Charlie Kirk was our brother! That tragedy also tore our hearts! We must speak of the love of Jesus to others as he did and overwhlem the world to loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!Loveeeeeeeeee overcomes hatred!! Let’s do it!! let’s overwhelm each person we encounter with our precious Jesus’ loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! We will win the world if we truly Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection!
So much to consider…. So many prayers to be offered…. Our Christian love is holy and magnificent…. The cross and crucifixion of Jesus is haunting….
Gods bless you,
Kathleen
I am glad you liked it!