31. V MON of Lent

Lk. 18: 18-25:  Loving God and neighbour gives eternal life. Giving one’s own wealth to the poor and following Jesus afterwards also gives this eternal life. So Jesus can save one from the bondage of wealth and can give salvation and life eternal.  

30. V SUN of Lent

Jn. 7: 37-39, 8: 12-20: The one who follows Christ must have an ‘exodus’ through the living water that flows from his side and has to give his body, soul and spirit into obedience of the Master creator and to enter upon that following is to walk in the light. When we walk alone we may fall or go the wrong way. We need the heavenly wisdom to walk the earthly way. Jesus is that heavenly wisdom and guide to enter into life eternal.

29. IV SAT of Lent

Jn. 7: 45-53: Halfhearted defense of Christ by us in the world bring us uncomfortable and ashamed silence. In our defense of Christ it is better to be reckless with our hearts than prudent with our heads. To stand up for him may bring mockery and unpopularity but Jesus promises us that ‘he will defend us before his Father in heaven’. Loyalty to Christ may bring a cross on earth but it brings crown in eternity.

28. IV FRI of Lent

Jn. 7: 25-31: Jews have their claim to know Jesus and from where he came.  But their pride made them to remain in the darkness interpreting everything according to their human views and closing their hearts to the truth. Only a humble seeker of God can discover who Jesus is.

27. IV THU of Lent

Jn. 7: 1-13: Jesus’ own people failed to grasp his true identity. So he does not succumb to the temptation of seeking self-glory but he chooses the way of humiliation and suffering to give glory to God-it is his ‘time’. Going to Jerusalem is to manifest himself through his suffering, death and resurrection.

26. IV WED of Lent

Jn. 6: 60-69: Jews refuses to accept Jesus’ doctrine on the Eucharist. Jesus then appeals to them pointing to his resurrection (v.62). Thus Eucharist is the body of the risen Lord transformed by the spirit (ccc 1116) It is this spiritual and glorified body of Christ that acts in us, spiritually unites us with God and thereby endows us with divine life.