10/03/2024

Fourth Sunday of Lent

“Everyone who believes in him…may have eternal life.”

‘Believing in’ means a commitment to Him; to see the world as He sees it.

Jesus wanted us to see reality as he saw it with – what we call – the eyes of faith. 

Short story I have often used.

Imagine a small building site. Four men working there.

A social-science undergraduate – with a mike – comes onto the site.

“Please, in a few words, tell me know what you are doing”

1st says “Can’t you see, I am mixing concrete.”

The 2nd “Can’t you see I am building a house.”

Number 3 replies; “Isn’t it obvious. I am earning a living”

and the 4th says:” Well, I reckon I am helping God build a home for a family.”

Which one is right? What do think? Who had a perception of Christian Faith?

Jesus of Nazareth – The Christ -  used concrete, memorable  examples to teach universal truths and virtues – and help us think as He thinks.

Remember His, “What father would give a snake when son asked for a fish?” (Lk 11,11-12) A human father would not refuse a basic desire from his son, so God too would not refuse a basic need when we ask him.

And, “ A camel pass through the eye of needle?”  (Lk 18,25) I suspect there was a  woman sewing as a camel passed by. A heart set on materialism is unable to value the Kingdom of God.

“Strain out gnat while eating a camel.” (Mt 23,24) Nice play on words as in Aramaic, ‘camel’ is gamla; and  ‘gnat’  is galma.  Do not fuss about trifles while ignoring more serious matters: like some  priests I know worrying more about their dress - the lace on their cottas -  rather than the content – and length -  of their homilies.