Reflection for Fifth Sunday of Lent with REV. FR. JOHN MGBEAHAURIKE, SMMM

Reflection for Fifth Sunday of Lent with REV. FR. JOHN MGBEAHAURIKE, SMMM

Theme: FAITHFUL LOVE MAKES TRUE FRIENDSHIP

5th Sunday of Lent Year A

 Ez 37:12-14 = Ps 13 =  Rm 8:8-11 = Jn11:1-45

 God is Love (1Jn 4:8). He created us out of Love. When we sinned against Him, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us, out of love (Jn 3:16). Still out of love, Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross (Rm 5:8; Jn 15:13). This love of God is FAITHFUL BECAUSE IT IS CONSTANT AND DOESN'T DEPEND ON OUR MERIT. It flows in season and out of season; and manifests in all times, JOYFUL and SORROWFUL. This type of love is always alive, active, promising, reviving, resuscitating, reassuring, consoling and hopeful. It is divine. That is why it is very scarce in the world. Its scarcity accounts for the high rate of broken friendships and relationships nowadays. Selfish and unfaithful love reigns. Many are in pains as a result of that. Even some of the married are seriously crying for help in their suffering due to no true love. No wonder the saying: "MARRIED but LONELY." However, there is hope for us in Jesus Christ, the true model of FAITHFUL LOVE and TRUE FRIEND. Imitating Him will not only soothe our pains and transform our lives, but will transform our families, churches, groups, associations and the world as a whole. In today's Gospel reading (Jn 11:1-45), Jesus manifests His power over death and tomb, His Faithful love and True Friendship by raising Lazarus (His friend) from death. The action of Jesus is in fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy in the 1st reading, that God will bring the dead out of their graves and put His Spirit in them so that they will live (cf. Ez 37:12-14). It also confirms the words of St. Paul in the 2nd reading, that the Spirit of God in Christ (which we received at baptism) will raise our mortal bodies (which are dead due to sin) to life (cf. Rm 8:8-11 ). As a true friend, Jesus wants the best for Lazarus and for us Christians. He wants us to have life in its fullness (Jn 10:10). Jesus' friendly characteristic qualities tally with the words of the writer of Sirach (6:14-16), who describes a faithful and true friend as: 1. A SECURE REFUGE (no Wonder Mary and Martha sent for Jesus when their brother, Lazarus was sick); 2. AS PRICELESS (yes, Jesus our saviour cannot be bought with wealth); 3. AS A LIFE-SAVING REMEDY (only Jesus can save us from death and lead us to eternal life). This writer concludes this section by saying that those who fear the Lord will find true friends. Dear Friends in Christ, this Season of Lent continues to offer us good opportunities to examine our lives and how we live with God and with our neighbours. Today, we continue our reflection with these questions: (1) Do we truly believe in Christ as our Lord and saviour; and in His power to raise from the dead? (2) Is our love for God and our neighbours genuine? (3) Are we true friends? (4) Like Mary and Martha, do we bring our needs or problems to Jesus for help (Jn 11:3)? (5) Do we know that Jesus Christ knows both our material and spiritual needs because He is both human and divine? (6) Do we know that God's thoughts and ways are not humans? (Is 55:8), and that what we see as DELAY on the side of God is always for a purpose (Jn 11:4,14,15), and is even better than our haste and rush? (7) Do we know that every miracle (sign) is meant to reveal the work of God (Jn 9:3) and to strengthen our faith? (Jn 2:11;9:38;11:42,45,48); (8) Do we know that unbelief and impatience can deprive us of God's favours? Finally, faithful and true love is founded in God, believe in and fear Him. It is selfless, sacrificial, patient and merciful. MAY JESUS FILL US WITH THIS TYPE OF LOVE AND MAKE US TRUE FRIENDS. AMEN. God bless your family. Happy Sunday!