Sunday, April 6, 2025

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

(Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:7-14; John 8:1-11)

We are nearing the end of Lent. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The light shines with the hope that we may be renewed people. Our fat is not as limp as before. Our speech has been purified. We perform works of mercy with less resistance. But it is not yet time to cease the struggle. We must run the entire course as marathoners must complete 42 kilometers.

To take advantage of today's readings, let us reflect on a now famous saying. It is not from the Bible, Shakespeare or the sages of antiquity. It is attributed to the English Catholic playwright Oscar Wilde, although it is not exactly found in his writings. Nevertheless, it is full of wisdom as if it came from the lips of Mother Teresa. The saying goes, “Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future.” That is, saints were not born saints. They became so by overcoming temptations like those which confront us. Sinners, too, once they recognize their offenses, can reform and become saints.

Saint Paul was not always an apostle of Jesus Christ. In fact, he knew himself as Christ’s number one enemy. He persecuted Christ by imprisoning Christians. Then, he met the risen Lord in an unexpected encounter. As today's second reading says, “Christ has won me over.” It's not that he changed Paul’s life in the sense that he lost his zeal. But he directed his zeal in the opposite direction. Instead of persecuting Christ, Christ became the sole focus of his life. Instead of punishing Christians, he created them through his preaching. Instead of hating Christ, he wanted a “sharing of his sufferings.”

The woman who confronts Jesus in the Gospel committed a grave sin. Although adultery is not the worst of sins, its effects can be disastrous. It can destroy marriages and will undermine the upbringing of children. Furthermore, it leads other couples to suspicion and distrust. But this woman is not the only sinner in the Temple area that day. Jesus' challenge to the Pharisees reveals that they too have sinned.

Jesus offers the woman an opportunity to repent. As he will say in the next chapter of the Gospel according to John, he came not to "judge" (that is, to condemn), but to save. The woman, now forgiven by Jesus, has an open future. Now she can choose the path of holiness.

The first reading from Second Isaiah proclaims the spirit of Easter. God is “doing something new." He is, as it were, creating "a path in the mighty waters " of the sea of evil that often characterizes the world. Instead of giving in to impure, greedy, or aggressive desires, we live differently. Our hope is not in “happy thoughts” like partying and telling jokes. Rather, it is the fulfilling of the deepest longings of our hearts. We are looking forward to a life that knows no disappointment, much less death. We are talking about the reunion with our loved ones who have departed from the earth. Above all, we have in mind knowledge of Christ, our teacher, redeemer, and truest friend.

Yes, eternal life sometimes seems impossible. But the apostles have attested with their lives that this goal is achievable. Only with Christ, who has justified us and provides us with the Holy Spirit, is it possible. Only with the power of his resurrection can we be changed into God’s true sons and daughters.

Friday, April 4, 2025

 Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Wisdom 2:1a.12-22; John 71-2.10.25-30)

In today’s gospel the people of Jerusalem are divided on Jesus’ identity.  Some believe him to be the Messiah sent from God.  Others find that proposition impossible.  They say that since they know where Jesus comes from, he cannot be from God.  Then Jesus declares himself.

He says that the people only think they know him.  They may say that he comes from Nazareth.  But he has origins beyond that town or the world, for that matter.  He came from God with a mission to carry out.  Until that mission is accomplished, he cannot be detained.

Many today similarly question Jesus’ identity.  They see him as a human person without a divine nature.  They often admire his wisdom but cannot accept his resurrection from the dead.  This makes a convenient argument for those who do not want to comply with his teaching.  However, those who believe he comes from God know that his ways will bring them happiness.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

 

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47)

In the Book of Deuteronomy (18,15) Moses promises the people a prophet like himself.  He says that the Lord will put His words into the prophet’s mouth.  Furthermore, the Lord will hold responsible anyone who does not heed the prophet’s teaching.

In today’s gospel Jesus claims to be the prophet Moses spoke of.  The Jews harassing him, of course, do not accept him so.  But, as if it were a court case, Jesus piles on evidence.  John testified to Jesus calling him the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus’ cures give witness to his being sent by God.  More vivid testimony yet will be his death on the cross and his resurrection.  Finally, the Father has given testimony in the many prophecies that described his coming and his mission.

We must ask ourselves if we accept Jesus.  We say we do.  But do we love our enemies as he taught? Do we tell about him as our Savior and our friend to others?  If we have not added our testimony to the list Jesus gives, let us try to do so.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

 

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)

The law prohibiting work on the sabbath is derived from the Third Commandment.  Rabbis, however, were aware that God needs to work on the sabbath to prevent the world from falling apart.  Jesus uses this awareness to defend his curing the paralytic on a sabbath.  He tells the Jews that as God’s Son, he too can work on the sabbath.  He only does what he sees the Father doing – giving life.  Of course, the Jews hear Jesus as blaspheming.  How can a man – they think – make himself out to be God?

In Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin in Matthew, Mark, and Luke he is condemned for equating himself with God.  John does not have a Jewish trial, but he repeatedly has scenes like this one.  On some of these occasions the Jews try to kill him. In this way John verifies what happens at the Jewish trial.

As Jesus invites the Jews to believe in him, so he wants us to believe. We ask ourselves, is he the Son of God, equal to the Father?  Or is he an imposter or, perhaps, a lunatic?  Many people have difficulty accepting Jesus as God.  Some of these consider the ethic that he preached too restrictive.  Hopefully, we will accept Jesus because the ethic is life-giving not detracting. It brings not only fulfilment on earth but also happiness in heaven.