5th Sunday of Lent

The prophet Isaiah reminds the people of Israel how God delivered them from oppression and slavery in Egypt. That same God will deliver the people of Israel from exile in Babylon. In his words, “Remember not the events of the past…see, I am doing something new!... for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink. The people whom I have formed for myself…” This is a very appropriate message because Lent is a time to forget our past failures and open our hearts for the Lord to wash us anew with the living water of his mercy and grace. Isaiah’s message is one of HOPE. Hope is also the central message of the second and the gospel readings.
 
St. Paul speaks of the supreme good of knowing CHRIST JESUS THE LORD.   As a result of knowing Christ, he has accepted the loss of all things and considers them so much rubbish for the sake of Christ, and finds the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ. Remember my homily on the second Sunday of Lent: God said, “This is my chosen Son, Listen to him.” I said then that when we listen to Jesus, it will bring about faith. We know faith comes from hearing. St. Paul said, he has not attained perfect maturity or reached heaven yet, but is straining forward to what lies ahead. Continue his pursuit toward the goal. The prize of God’s upward calling, in CHRIST OUR HOPE. Lent is a special time to press forward in and with Christ through conversion, prayer and charity. 
 
The Pharisees and Scribes brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus and said, “According to the law of Moses she is to be stoned to death.” Jesus told them, “The one without sin should be the first to throw a stone at her.” They all left, one after another, until Jesus was left alone with her. Some spiritual lessons: One may want to ask, where was the man involved in the adultery? He was nowhere to be found – which is a reflection of the unjust treatment of women in many societies and traditions. For Jesus, men and women are equal. They are both created in the image and likeness of God with equal value and dignity. We must never treat people unjustly because we are all children of God. The Scribes and Pharisees left because they too are sinners. We are all sinners. We should not condemn people but share the love and mercy of GOD with them. Jesus said to the woman, “…Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” Jesus didn’t condone her behavior. He forgave her sin and offered her another chance. Jesus challenged her to go but sin no more, he was firm with her. He wants us to break away from that sin, vice of immoral life and accept his mercy and new life.  He is the Lamb of GOD who takes away our sins. He came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus protected her dignity, value and gave her hope. Let us imitate Jesus and become agents of God’s love, mercy and hope.