5TH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Romans 8:8-11

John 11:1-45

GOD HAS NOT ABANDONED US!

Our Easter celebration is close at hand. Thus, our first reading reminds us of God’s promise of liberation and restoration to the Israelites in exile. The gospel reading narrates the miracle of the raising of Lazarus through which Jesus reveals himself as the Lord of life. While St Paul in the second reading highlights our Christian participation in the victory of Christ over death thanks to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. 

The context of Ezekiel’s prophecy is the vision of the dry bones, by which the prophet metaphorically describes the painful experience of the Babylonian exile. With the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of its Temple as well as the deportation in 586 BC, the people of Israel thought that God had abandoned them. Their hope was gone. They were like dry bones, lifeless corpses in the tomb. And yet, God promises them restoration. He will put his Spirit in them and they shall live. He will “open their grave”, raise them up and restore them on their land. 

In the gospel, Jesus miraculously gave life back to Lazarus who had been in the tomb for four days. The core statement of the story is when Jesus said to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life." Indeed, Jesus has power to give life and raise the dead for the manifestation of God’s glory. But to see the glory of God, one must believe: "If you believe, you will see the glory of God," he said to Martha. 

In this perspective, today’s readings invite us to trust in God no matter what, for he is able to revive us, to open our graves and restore us. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great fear, panic, agony, distress and suffering in the whole world. Like the people of Israel in exile, some of us think that God has abandoned us. Others have lost hope. Still others like Martha and Mary are mourning the loss of their loved ones: “If you were here, my brother would not have died”, they seem to say in desperation. And yet, the Lord tells us: “Do not be afraid; I am with you!” May he grant us a firm and immovable faith so that we may remain steadfast and tranquil even in hopeless situations. Amen

4th Sunday Of Lent, Year A

1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 91-41

THE AMAZING GRACE

The fourth Sunday of Lent is known as the “Laetare Sunday” or Sunday of rejoicing. On this Sunday, the liturgy invites us to rejoice as an anticipation of the Easter joy that awaits us. But how can we rejoice when the whole world is in agony and distress because of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus? How can we rejoice when thousands of people die every single day as a result of this deadly virus? How can we be joyful when millions of Catholics are deprived of the Eucharist which is the source and summit of our Christian life? How can we rejoice when the God we serve seems to be far away and indifferent to our sufferings and cries? 

Indeed, we may find thousands of reasons not to rejoice; and yet, the Word of God still invites us to joy because our true joy lies not in what happens around us but in our relationship with Jesus Christ, who was “sent” by the Father to be the “Light of the world.” The man born blind in the gospel passage was in total darkness. He was abandoned and lonely, begging before he could eat. But his encounter with Jesus changed his situation. As such, the words of Paul in the second reading are very appropriate in relation this man: "You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord.”

He could not be recognized by his own and the Pharisees because the healing power of the Lord brought a breakthrough in his life. He could now see the light and the beauty of nature. He could praise God and bear witness to this amazing grace he had received from Jesus the Messiah. Likewise, David could rejoice because God had favoured him beyond measure, beyond human understanding. Though a young boy and counted for nothing, he was chosen and anointed to be the future king of Israel. For God sees the heart and not appearances. His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts (cf. Is. 55:8). 

God is able to raise us from our nothingness and make his amazing works visible in us. When we feel desperate, lonely and abandoned, then he reveals his greatness and closeness. Thus, in these difficult and trying times, let us trust him and not give in to fear and panic. Let us be more connected to Jesus through prayer and prayerful reading of his Word. Let us find in him the source of our joy despite the challenging moments we are going through. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

3RD SUNDAY IN LENT, YEAR A

Exodus 17:3-7

Romans 5:1-2,5-8

John 4:5-42 

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AND THE LIFE-GIVING WATER

In today’s readings, the dominant image is water, which makes us think of baptism. Therefore, it is of no wonder that John’s narration about the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at the well is proposed to us on this third Sunday of Lent. On this Sunday, the first “Scrutinies” for the catechumens who will be baptized on Holy Saturday take place. The powerful dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is one of the most lengthy but interesting passages in John’s gospel narrative and pregnant with many theological themes. 

The story begins by Jesus showing himself as a person in need: tired and thirsty. Then, the conversation moves to its high point when Jesus reveals himself to the woman as the Messiah. And it ends with Jesus bringing the whole town to faith in him. The point of departure is “the gift of God”, imaged as water, living water that becomes in the one who drinks it “a spring of living water welling up to eternal life.” Here, the relation to the Holy Spirit who gives life is undeniable (cf. John 7:37-39). As such, St Paul tells us in the second reading: “the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”

In fact, the Samaritan woman represents each one of us, our existential dissatisfaction and our unceasing search for fulfillment and true happiness in life. As her encounter with Jesus changed her life, so also our personal encounter with Jesus and our openness to him can change marvelously our lives. For he knows our story; he knows our struggles, and he is the only One who can satisfy our deepest aspirations and rejuvenate our soul. 

Moreover, as the story about the “Massah and Meribah experience” teaches us, our difficulties, trials and struggles can make us become impatient and lose faith in God. The water from the rock became the symbol of relief and the manifestation of God’s presence and love to the wandering and thirsty Israelites in the desert. In this Lenten Season, let us pause and recall the wonderful and great things God has done in our lives. Let us ponder on his infinite love manifested in Jesus who died for us while we were still sinners. Like the Samaritan woman, let us open our hearts so as to be filled with the life-giving and healing water of Jesus. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

Genesis 12:1-4

Psalm 33

2 Timothy 1:8-10

Matthew 17:1-9

 

OUR WAY TO OUR TRANSFIGURATION

 

Usually, the story of the transfiguration is proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent. Situating this event in its context may be enlightening. In effect, the Transfiguration was preceded by two events. First, the exiting moment of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16). Second, the shocking prediction of Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection (Matt. 16:21). Then comes the wonderful experience of the Transfiguration.

 

While he was praying on a high mountain in the presence of Peter, James and John, Jesus was transfigured; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with him. Then, a cloud cast a shadow over them, and from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt. 17:1-9). 

 

The transfiguration was therefore to strengthen the faith of the disciples and teach them that after his suffering and death, glory will be his, for there would be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. As such, the message of the Transfiguration is addressed to us today, for on our journey of life, sufferings and crosses are inevitable. Illnesses and troubles and disappointments are our lot. And like Abraham whom God asked to leave his father’s house to a land he did not know, we too are invited sometimes to make risky, nonsensical moves trusting in God who is always faithful.

 

Like Timothy in the second reading, we are exhorted to bear our share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He has saved and called us for his own design so as we may share in his own glory. Thus, in spite of the awful and trying moments we may have to experience, the crosses we may have to bear, the trials and difficulties we may have to go through, one thing is sure: God is leading us to glory.

Yes, our faces may be disfigured because of pain and tears; but if we allow Jesus to encounter us in prayer, in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and confession, etc. our faces will surely be transfigured like his. May he help us to focus on the crown instead of the cross, and always remember that no cross, no crown.