March 28, 2020 – Saturday 4^th Week of Lent

Click here for the readings (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032820.cfm)

Homily

People were arguing to discredit the identity of Jesus. Jesus showed them signs that he indeed was sent by the Father. He is the Christ!

However, people began to make reasons in order not to believe in him. The officers of the Temple and Nicodemus, a Pharisee were one of the few who seemingly were inclined to listen more to Jesus, yet, they too were discredited.

As there were many signs that pointed Jesus as the Christ, the more the people also created reasons not to believe. Instead of looking at Jesus to find the truth, “they all went home,” as the Gospel ended today.

These people went home, not because of the “community quarantine.” They went home and settled with their own beliefs, unwilling to give up their personal agenda, unwilling to allow God to be their God, unwilling to allow Jesus to challenge them and to transform them in the way God desires them to be.

Thus, instead of going to the Temple or to the synagogue to pray and dialogue with God, they did not. However, the Gospel invites us today to refocus our gaze on the officers of the Temple and with Nicodemus who allowed themselves to be encountered by Jesus. It is through them that we are being asked also today to see Jesus clearly, to recognize him better.

As there were many signs before that pointed to Jesus, let us also be more aware of the many signs God has given us today. There are many, every day, perhaps we just lack that awareness and keenness to recognize those signs of wonders and everyday miracles. 

Thus, as we are being asked to stay at home these days, may we never fail to recognize those signs and wonders that God made for us and so to be encountered by God through them. Hinaut pa.

Jom Baring, CSsR