Being a Christian is more than just a name.
The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls us to reflect on the meaning of our
Christian identity. Being a Christian is more than just a label; it involves a
heartfelt commitment to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This
relationship is transformative, representing the bond between the Creator and
creation; the Savior and the sinner; and the Master and disciple.
The first reading from the book of Sirach highlights how much our choices
matter, “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you.” We
have the power to choose our paths; however, we must choose wisely and follow
God’s way. Whether in moments of happiness or despair, Christians, like those
who make the sacred vows of marriage, are called to remain faithful to Jesus.
This faithfulness serves as a comforting anchor, reminding us that we are never
alone because “the eyes of God are on those who fear him.”
In a few days, the Lenten Season will begin – a time to reflect on repentance
and renewal. Soon we will receive ashes on our forehead collected from last
year’s Palm Sunday. These ashes carry a joyful spirit of faith and celebration,
symbolizing that life is both glorious and temporary. Like the palm branches that
once represented triumph and are now turned into ashes, we are called to truly
acknowledge our earthly journey and trust in God’s loving presence.
The ashes tell the inspiring story of the Resurrection, assuring us that even in
moments of despair, there is hope. God promises to raise us from our ashes and
invites us to embrace His glory in our lives. Lent is a time for Christians to
confront their mortality, as well as celebrate the transformative power of faith at
the heart of Christian existence. It is crucial to keep God’s commandments and
align ourselves with the message of the season: to be merciful and seek
forgiveness. The plea from the responsorial Psalm, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we
have sinned,” becomes a guiding refrain. This acknowledgment of human
weakness fosters a spirit of humility and openness, inviting us to meditate on our
lives in light of God’s infinite mercy and grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we prepare to enter this sacred season, let us to
embrace the weight of the ashes, seeing them not as an end but as a beginning.
The ashes we bear on our foreheads remind us of our promise to rise above the
weight of doubt, fear, and mistakes, and to answer the call to become holier.
Lent is a beautiful season that invites us to grow closer to Jesus, strengthening
the loving relationship that goes beyond just saying we are Christians.
Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor