5th Sunday of Lent (Cycle B, Year I)
Community Word: Jesus Christ is the reflection of God’s love in us and for us.
Theme: We are a reflection of God’s love when we follow the Lord and serve Him in His people.
Promise: “I will be their God and they shall be my people.” (Jer 31:33)
Reflection:
“In the days when He was in the flesh, He offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence,” (Heb. 5:7). This is the main theme and substance of our reflections this week – We are a reflection of God’s love when we follow the Lord and serve Him in His people.
Our constant and reverent communication with the Lord molds us, shapes us and equips us to become more like Jesus and to mirror His heart and character as we follow Him and minister to His people.
God’s commandments are like road signs. They show us the way but do not give us the power to move in the required direction. For more often than not, we violate the commandments because we lack the empowerment, the motivation, and the inspiration to pursue our vision and mission in life. Outward signs and strong resolve are not enough; we need the power to move in the right direction.
Unlike old covenant laws which were engraved in stone, the new covenant laws are written in the human heart. God is very specific and intentional when He said: “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people,” (Jer 31:33). Hence, our guiding force is the Holy Spirit, while Jesus Christ as our model of obedience.
Why then, do we continue to sin? We often make the mistake of seeing Jesus only as God. We compare ourselves to him and conclude that since he is the Son of God, he cannot sin, without realizing that Jesus too, was human, born of the flesh. He grew up with parents and relatives, probably went to some kind of school, played with his playmates, and – as Scripture tells us – was tempted in every way. Like any other human being, he must have experienced pain, hurt feelings, even disappointments. Doubtless, he felt physical and emotional pain too. The letter to the Hebrews is clear that Jesus did not feign his humanity. The only difference between him and ourselves, is that while we often give in (Heb2:17; 4:15) to temptation and the desires of the flesh, Jesus was never overcome by evil, and remained faithful to the Father at all times, even unto death on the cross.
“Jesus learnt obedience, Son though He was, through His sufferings,” Hebrew 5:8 tells us. Unlike the worldly leaders who issue orders from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices and care little about how it affects their subjects, Jesus empathized and sympathized, especially with the broken and suffering. He cared about His flock. So, too, must we identify with the people whom we have been tasked to minister to. We have to see them with the eyes, heart and mind of Jesus. God calls us to go further – to go beyond the letter of the law and put people ahead of legalism, and our relationship with God before any earthy concerns and institutions. We are called to get out of our comfort zones, to die to ourselves and aspire to become fruitful in order to grow and remain faithful to God through Jesus. “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit,” (Jn. 12:24).
It is indeed a challenge for us in these trying times to pray and be of service to the Lord through our brethren. But as the Gospel states, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life,” (Jn.12:25). Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to “cast our nets into the deep waters and be not afraid.” We have to walk our talk. We have to be living witnesses of Christ for the transformation of all in Christ.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, with Daniel we pray: “with contrite heart and humble spirit, receive us.” Let our lives be an offering of praise to You and our sacrifice pleasing in your sight, as we follow You unreservedly, for those who trust in You cannot be put to shame. Deal with us in Your loving kindness and mercy, deliver us by Your wonders and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. How have I been a reflection of God’s love to others?
2. How do I nurture myself to overcome the challenges that block my response to God’s call to love, in the service I render through my daily living and my community?
3. Share your difficulties and victories in overcoming these challenges.
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 22, 2015 (Sun) Jer 31:31-34/Ps 51:3-4,12-13,14-15/Heb 5:7-9/Jn 12:20-33
March 23, 2015 (Mon) Dn 13:41-62/ Ps 23:1-6/ Jn 8:1-11
March 24, 2015 (Tue) Nm 21:4-9/ Ps 102:2,3, 16-21/ Jn 8:21-30
March 25, 2015 (Wed) Is 7:10-14; 8:10/ Ps 40:7-11/ Heb 10:4-10/ Lk 1:26-38
March 26, 2015 (Thur) Gn 17:3-9/ Ps 105:4-9/ Jn 8:51-59
March 27, 2015 (Fri) Jer 20:10-13/ Ps 18:2-7/ Jn 10:31-42
March 28, 2015 (Sat) Ez 37:21-28/ Jer 31:10-13/ Jn 11:55-56
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
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