Living our lives filled with love, joy and peace
The 5th Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on the deep truth that is often hidden
until we experience loss in our journey of life. In our busy lives, we tend to overlook
the importance of our existence until we face mortality. It has been said that we
don’t truly appreciate what we have until it’s gone. The love of family and friends
often becomes a painful memory once they have passed away.
Today’s Gospel from St. John invites deep contemplation of death and urges
us to seek the true purpose of our lives. While the mystery of the afterlife remains
beyond our full comprehension, we find comfort in knowing that Jesus’s
Resurrection grants us new life beyond death. The words of the Prophet Ezekiel
remind us of God’s loving promise: “I will open your graves and have you rise from
them.” This profound statement reassures us that our earthly life is merely a
preparation for the eternal joy waiting for us in heaven.
Indeed, we are called to live our time on earth with love, joy, and peace so that
it serves a greater purpose. The happiness we cultivate here reflects the joy we
desire in the afterlife. Our lives should be filled with love and compassion, helping
us face our own mortality with confidence as we yearn for the everlasting love of
God. However, the stresses and struggles of life can often lead us into darkness,
where feelings of resentment and selfishness may consume us, trapping us in our
self-created tombs.
Even during difficult moments, it is important to remember that Jesus is
reaching out to each of us, just as He once called to Lazarus: “Come out!” His loving
call invites us to release the weight of our sins and burdens. When we listen and
respond, we step into the bright light of His love, shedding the shadows of past
mistakes and opening our hearts to a full life. Hearing Jesus’s voice can free us
from the chains of sin that hold us back. His call encourages us to move toward a
life filled with purpose, service, and love. By answering His call, we are freed from
heavy burdens and can embrace a life anchored in love.
Dear brothers and sisters, let’s reflect this week and every day of our lives on
the lessons of loss and the importance of love. Recognizing that life is temporary
can fill us with gratitude and inspire us to share it with those around us. May this
season be a time for meaningful reflection and growth as each of us journeys
toward Palm Sunday and Holy Week. By following Jesus’ teachings and footsteps,
we can find true freedom through love, joy in our purpose, and the hope of eternal
life; thereby bringing us closer to the divine and preparing our hearts for the journey
ahead.
Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor