In this week’s gospel for the 5^th Sunday of Lent Jesus makes the promise that eternal life will be given to anyone who believes in him. But what does this mean? We hear the account of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days. The body of Lazarus would have begun to decompose. If that were not enough Jesus then speaks of his own impending resurrection and what this means for all believers. “I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,” John 11: 26.

Believers? Those who recognise Jesus as the Son of God.

The love which shines through Jesus in everything he says and does is a reflection of the Father who destines, invites and wants us to be with Him in eternal life. Those who know Jesus personally have a foretaste of eternity.

In this world love is like a lighthouse showing up choppy waters and dangerous rocks and just as a lighthouse guides sea craft safely through turbulent waters, love can help us navigate through the turbulence of evil which creates havoc all around.

Lent invites us to follow that beacon of light which leads us forward to Easter, the Resurrection and new life in the here and now with the promise of an eternity of light and love.

An unexpected smile can bring light into someone’s eyes and heart try it.

For those doubtful of an afterlife, read the true story  in the book, “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent – New York Times best seller, 10 million copies sold, available on Amazon) about a little boy who died went to heaven and came back to tell the tale in a way which could not be denied.   

The Annunciation a Message  for Today

Saturday (26^th March) was the feast day of the Annunciation when God’s messenger, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the mother of God. Mary’s YES changed everything forever. This was in God’s plan since the beginning even down to the angel naming the baby “Jesus.” (Saviour)

God has a plan for each one of us. Each pre born baby is a human being and the first human right is the right to live therefore no one has the right to end the life of a baby in the womb.

In my story, “The Secret Plague” (Available on Amazon or “Good News Books” ISBN 978 1 912237 40 1) the fallacy of pro abortion ‘human rights’ is exposed and the dignity and inviolability of each human being from conception celebrated.

Maybe there’s someone you know who should hear this?  

Truth of Faith

In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus heals a man born blind. This does not persuade the Pharisees- the Jewish leaders, that Jesus should be listened to. They have their own agenda. They can’t see the reality in front of them especially given that that Jesus in their view broke the law by healing on the Sabbath day which they regarded as work and against the Commandments.

The beauty of nature, the wonder of human beings – even divine miracles are not enough to bring about an acknowledgement for many that there must be a God.

Jesus came to bring light but many prefer darkness. How appallingly sad. This Sunday is Rejoicing Sunday in Lent and lights up our way to Easter when all darkness and negativity are shattered forever.

Looking for the good in others and rejoicing in good deeds is something the Pharisees in Jesus day were unable to do. Religious man made rules got in the way.

The way things are;

Self interest, ideology, ignorance and just plain evil desires threaten life in so many ways

As with the man born blind, life is precious and preconceived notions must be ignored by those who can see and who desire to stretch out a healing hand. This takes courage and the kind of faith that makes the impossible possible.

Truth of Faith

Living Water

Knowing Jesus as Son of God changes everything and opens us to the living water and eternal life. This is for here and now and is a foretaste of our heavenly destiny.

An unsuspecting woman encounters Jesus at the village well. She is shocked that Jesus should ask her for a drink. The apostles had gone into the village to buy food.

John 4:5-42

“You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan for a drink?” What is more it was unheard of for a man to speak to a woman in public. Jesus breaks all conventions to reach this woman. She is riveted to the spot when Jesus reveals the knowledge he has been given about the past men in her life. How could he know this about her? She sees Jesus as a prophet and is in rapt attention as Jesus speaks to her of living water, welling up to eternal life. She immediately rushes of to the village to tell everyone.

What does this encounter from this week’s gospel say to us? Jesus is saying he is the Messiah. Do we truly believe this? Perhaps Lent is a space to think about this more. For those who recognise who Jesus is everything changes. Should we be rushing off to tell all those we know?

BUT such recognition MUST involve listening to and abiding by Jesus’ message which has the power to transform individually and transform the world; the Kingdom in the here and now leading to the eternal life.

Words of Life;

Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be children of God. Matthew 5.9

 You cannot be the slave both of God and money. Matthew 6.24

 A man will be joined to his wife and the two become one body. Matthew 19. 5-6

 The leader is the one who serves. Luke 22.27

Who can live like this? Only those who know Jesus.  

What was Jesus’ dream for the woman at the well? What is God’s dream for us; for today and for our life?

Prayer

Dear Lord may your living water flow in me. May I walk each day in the Holy Spirit with my feet set firmly on the ground and my eyes to heaven.

Truth of faith

In the gospel reading this Sunday, the second Sunday of Lent, we hear how Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and there in their sight was transfigured, his appearance shining brightly. In this vision Jesus is is seen talking with Moses the law giver and Elijah the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. And a voice in a bright cloud was heard, “This my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Given there were three witnesses, we know this really happened. What a confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission to the apostles present!

What a confirmation of the reality of eternal life and the realty of God!  

The Reality

Life is short and despots with no respect for their fellow human beings and the right of others to live in peace and with justice and self determination come and go leaving a legacy of death and destruction. We see it on the news almost every day.

Forward

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw.”

It is frustrating to see what should be done in the world and feel helpless about it.

Yet we can give a personal witness starting in the here and now.

Further more, with prayer the world can be changed by God who spoke on the nountain, “listen to him”.

Lent is the time to listen to Jesus, “The Beloved Son.”

In Wembley Arena yesterday 4^th March many thousands of Catholic young people gathered for FLAME and heard the call to recognize their significance, worth, value and gifts and to rise up to make a difference in the world particularly to combat pollution and deforestation which threatens life on earth.

This is what is needed, enthusiasm, boldness and commitment such as that shown by Robert Bilott and American environmental lawyer interviewed at FLAME who was featured in the film “Dark Waters” (2019) available on DVD.