5th Sunday of Lent

Glorifying Jesus

John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33-45 

Happy are those who are utilizing these blessed days of Lent to enter into the resurrection of their lives.  Faith is preparing us to counter all temptations, recognize the divinity of Jesus, give chance to encounter and be a witness to him.

For this last week before Palm Sunday, let us look on Martha and her journey of faith.  After giving witness to what Jesus can do she made a solemn proclamation: "You are the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world."  Jesus also made the same proclamation of himself: "This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified."

This is the main essence of our existence: "To glorify the Son of God in all things."  But how?

First, make a solemn proclamation of Jesus by prioritizing him above all existence.  We can only do that if we know who Jesus is over and above our lives.  Make an act of faith like Martha by offering everything to him.

Second, recognize Jesus having power over all lives. "I am the resurrection and the life."  He has power over all those who die or are killed.  Our sole mission is to cause life and not death in ourselves and others.

Third, we can also partake in Jesus' power to save by unbinding people from the shackles of death.  True freedom is freedom in God, not in disordinate attachments to material things or to power.  This is the mission of our lives, to cause the salvation of others, all for the glory of God.

The final act of the glorification of Jesus is the lifting of the cross itself.  Pray to journey with him to Calvary so as to receive the resurrection of life.