How Do We Respond to God’s Love?
On this 5th Sunday of Lent, the readings from Jeremiah and John’s Gospel
speak of God’s love and the covenant He offers us . We are invited to reflect on
God’s love for us and how we can respond to His love in our busy lives.
In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah proclaims the promise of a new
covenant that God will make with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
signifying a fresh start and renewal of the relationship between God and His
people. It speaks of God’s enduring faithfulness and desire to draw us closer to
Him, heal what was broken, and offer us a path to redemption and reconciliation.
How do we recognize this covenant that God made with us today? We see it
in the signs of His presence all around us: the beauty of nature, the kindness of
strangers, the love of family and friends, and the moments of grace and mercy
that touch our lives. God’s covenant is not a distant promise but a living reality
constantly inviting us to deepen our relationship with Him and walk in His ways.
However, recognizing God’s covenant is only the beginning; the real
challenge lies in how we respond to God’s love amidst the busyness and
complexities of our daily lives. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions
and demands, it can be easy to overlook or forget the love that God offers us.
We may be tempted to prioritize our needs and desires in pursuit of success and
happiness in ways that lead us away from God’s loving embrace.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the hour when the Son of Man will be
glorified. The image of a grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying so that it
may produce much fruit, reminds us of Jesus’ sacrificial love on the Cross. He
willingly laid down His life out of love for us so that we may have eternal life and
bear abundant fruits. Yet, in our busy and self-centered society, how many of us
truly grasp the depth of God’s love for us and the sacrifice He made? We must
make time to pause from our daily activities and reflect on God’s love for us
which goes beyond our understanding; and then ask ourselves, if we will allow
His love to transform us and shape our lives?Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor
Dear brothers and sisters, as we approach and prepare to enter into Palm
Sunday and Holy Week, let us take a moment to meditate on the immeasurable
love that God has for us. Let us consider how we can respond to His love in our
daily lives, relationships, work, and communities. May we be inspired by the
example of Jesus, who showed us the way of sacrificial love and invites us to
follow Him on the path to true joy and an abundant life.