Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C)

 Fifth Sunday of Lent April 06, 2025

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

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A member of a monastic order once committed a fault. A council was called to determine the punishment, but when the monks assembled it was noticed that Father Joseph was not among them. The superior sent someone to say to him, “Come, for everyone is waiting for you.”  So Father Joseph got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water, and carried it with him. When the others saw this they asked, “What is this, father?” The old man said to them, “My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the error of another?”

Another anecdote for you:

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don’t ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman’s son. That’s the point about mercy: nobody deserves it. It is given freely!

This is a powerful story of justice and mercy. Jesus is on the side of the woman who has been accused of sin and crime. It was an unjust accusation, and the people who brought her had little good in mind.

This is the challenge Jesus puts to us each Lent: begin life afresh and let others begin life afresh after they have hurt us. Let us reflect that we are all sinners, we are in need of mercy, and we need to make fresh starts.

The first reading from Isaiah reassures us that God is the Lord of new beginnings. The Israelites, who had experienced suffering and exile, were being reminded that God was making a new way for them. He tells them, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

Just as God led the Israelites through the Red Sea, He is always ready to create new paths for us. No matter how lost we feel, God is always at work in our lives, bringing restoration and renewal.

Oftentimes, we hold on to past mistakes, failures, and disappointments. These can become obstacles to experiencing God’s grace in the present. Isaiah calls us to recognize that God is always offering renewal. Just as He brought His people out of slavery into freedom, He desires to free us from sin and despair so that we can begin afresh.

The Gospel passage presents one of the most beautiful illustrations of Jesus’ mercy. The scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus, hoping to trap Him into contradicting the Law of Moses, which prescribes stoning for such an offense. Instead of falling into their trap, Jesus responds with divine wisdom: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). One by one, the accusers walk away, realizing their own sinfulness.

Jesus then addresses the woman: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). These words are life-giving. Jesus does not ignore her sin, but He does not condemn her either. He offers her a chance to begin again, transformed by His mercy and love.

A New Beginning in Christ:

This Gospel passage offers several key lessons:

God’s Mercy is Greater than Our Sin: Many people struggle with guilt and regret over past mistakes. However, Jesus shows that His mercy is greater than any sin we have committed. No matter how broken we may feel, God invites us to receive His forgiveness and start anew.

We Must Avoid a Judgmental Spirit: The Pharisees were quick to judge the woman but failed to acknowledge their own sins. Jesus’ response reminds us to be compassionate toward others and recognize our own need for mercy.

Conversion Requires a Response: Jesus tells the woman, “Go and sin no more.” Forgiveness is not an excuse to continue in sin but an opportunity for transformation. Beginning life afresh means making a conscious effort to walk in God’s ways.

How Can We Begin Afresh?

Repentance and Confession: During Lent, we are called to examine our lives and seek God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a concrete way to leave behind our past and embrace a renewed relationship with God.

Letting Go of the Past: Many people remain trapped by past mistakes, resentments, and failures. However, just as Isaiah encourages us to forget the former things, we must learn to let go and trust that God is leading us into something new.

Commitment to Change: Beginning anew is not just about being forgiven but about living differently. This means making an effort to avoid sin, reconcile with others, and live according to God’s will.

Trusting in God’s Plan: Like St. Paul, we must keep pressing forward in our faith, trusting that God is guiding us toward something greater. Even when we stumble, we should not lose hope but continue striving toward holiness.

As we near the end of Lent and prepare for Holy Week, let us embrace the invitation to begin life afresh. God is always at work, calling us to renewal and deeper intimacy with Him. Like the woman in the Gospel, we are not defined by our past mistakes but by God’s infinite love and mercy. Let us turn to Him with contrite hearts, ready to receive His grace and walk forward in newness of life.

May this Lent be a time of true transformation, where we leave behind our burdens and step into the joy and freedom of God’s redeeming love.

Happy Sunday 

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C)

 Fourth Sunday of Lent March 30, 2025

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

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A pastor heard that one of his parishioners was going about announcing to everyone that he would no longer attend church services. This rebellious parishioner was advancing the familiar argument that he could communicate with God just as easily out in the fields with nature as his setting for worship. One winter evening, the pastor called on him for a friendly visit. The two men sat before the fireplace making small talk, but studiously avoiding the issue of church attendance. After a while, the pastor took the tongs from the rack next to the fireplace and pulled a single coal from the fire. He placed the glowing ember on the hearth. As the two watched in silence, the coal quickly ceased burning and turned an ashen grey, while the other coals in the fire continued to burn brightly. Slowly the pastor put back the charcoal into fire and it burnt brightly. The pastor's silent message was not lost on the parishioner. After a long pause, he turned to the pastor and said "I'll be back at services next Sunday."

This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday, the Church invites us to rejoice. We are now halfway through our Lenten journey, and the light of Easter is approaching. Today’s Gospel presents one of the most beautiful and powerful parables told by Jesus: the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story, found in Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, is a profound revelation of the mercy, love, and forgiveness of God. As we reflect on this parable, let us open our hearts to understand how it speaks to us today.

Today's first reading from the book of Joshua highlights the history of salvation of God's chosen people. Moses had led the people out of Egypt; now Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. God had fed his people as they journeyed with manna from heaven, now that they have reached the land of promise, manna is replaced by products of the land. God ceases to be a pilgrim; he takes the risk of binding himself to institutions. 

Today's reading reminds us that no matter what difficulties we encounter on life's journey, we too can make it with the help of God. The only thing we need is persistence and faith that God never abandons us.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful images of God's love for us. A son demands his inheritance, leaves home, squanders everything, and finds himself in misery. At his lowest point, he decides to return to his father, expecting only to be treated as a servant. But the father, seeing him from a distance, runs to embrace him, reinstating him as a son with full dignity.

This story resonates with many of us. We may not have physically left home like the prodigal son, but at different times in our lives, we may have turned away from God. We may have sought fulfilment in things that left us empty, or we may have wandered from the love of our Heavenly Father through sin, pride, or selfishness. Yet, this parable reassures us that no matter how far we stray, God's arms are always open.

While we often focus on the younger son, the elder brother in the parable also teaches us a lesson. He stayed home, followed the rules, and yet resented his father’s mercy toward his wayward brother. His heart was filled with self-righteousness and bitterness.

This can happen to us, too. Sometimes, we think we are better than others because we have remained faithful. We may struggle to forgive those who have hurt us. But the father in the story shows us another way—the way of mercy. Instead of resenting the sinner who repents, we are called to rejoice, just as heaven rejoices over one sinner who returns (Luke 15:7).

The parable ends with the father inviting the elder son to join the celebration, just as God invites each of us to share in His joy. Today, the Church reminds us to rejoice because salvation is at hand. No matter how sinful or distant we may feel, God’s love is greater. This Laetare Sunday, let us cast aside despair and embrace the hope and joy of God’s forgiveness.

In today's second reading Paul reminds the Corinthians that we are not called to be God's slaves but His children. All people are invited to be God's children. We are called to be a new creation, for anyone in Christ is a new creation. Paul sums up Christ's mission as follows: to reconcile people with his Father and to make them a new creation. Reconciliation with God and with one another is especially needed in the world today with its many divisions. There can be no peace without repentance and reconciliation.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect on our own hearts. Do we need to return to the Father, like the prodigal son? Or do we need to let go of resentment and self-righteousness, like the elder son? May we all come to experience the boundless mercy of our loving Father, who never ceases to call us home.

Happy Sunday