Perhaps one of the most frequently quoted verse from the Gospels is:  God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost, but may have everlasting life (Jn 3:16).  As our Lenten journey nears its goal it is becoming clearer to us – particularly from the readings and prayers at Mass –  that we are getting ready to celebrate the gift of everlasting life won for us through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  He came that we may not be lost…but may have life.  Our journey takes us from darkness to light.  When we sin we put ourselves in the darkness – our sinfulness is a choice for darkness over light. Our way back into the light is the need for God’s forgiveness; seeking and finding it, is new life and light.  In receiving forgiveness we leave the darkness behind and walk into light.  Injustice always flourishes in darkness; life, in the light.  Our self-denial during Lent and the promised light of Easter come together and encourage us to embrace life, not in fear, but with confident trust in a loving and merciful God.  Our Easter-bound road leads to the ultimate triumph of grace over sin, of light over darkness – of having life over being lost.

…To save the lost like you and me!