Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 21, 2010 (Cycle A Option for Lent)
In today’s Gospel we experience Jesus urging us to believe in him, and offering us eternal life if we do believe. St. Francis de Sales reflects on this promise:
When the falconer removes the hood from his bird, the bird sights its prey and spreads its wings, ready to fly and capture its prey. Held back by the falconer, the bird struggles to free itself from him. So too when faith removes the veil of ignorance from us, we see that our supreme good is in God. We then desire to fly to God but the conditions of this mortal life hold us back. Our ardor may subsequently turn to sadness.
However, we must not lose courage and reduce ourselves to despair. Through a thousand promises made in Scripture and the holy inspirations placed in our heart, God strongly assures us that we can attain a life of infinite goodness. Yet, we must be willing to use the means God offers us. If you live in Jesus Christ, who loved us unto death on a cross, progressively your desire for God’s truth and goodness turns into hope animated by God’s love. Our Savior will be with you as long as you choose Him. When you are completely restored to health by the divine love that the Spirit of Jesus pours into your heart, you go forward and stand by yourself in virtue of your new health and holy love.
While our human nature will always produce self-centered desires and thoughts, they need not delay us on our journey toward loving God’s truth and goodness, and doing God’s work. Happy are they whose self-giving love is in the service of God. God will never let them remain barren and unfruitful! Even though they give up only a little for God, God showers abundant blessings on them, in this life and in the next. The assurance God gives us that paradise is ours, infinitely strengthens our desire to pursue God’s goodness in Jesus Christ, who is the life, the resurrection and the glory of God.
(Adapted from the writings of Saint Francis de Sales.)
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