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Homily of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B: 2024

Fr Luan Nguyen • Mar 19, 2024

Homily of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B: 2024

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” This is one of my favorite verses in the gospel. I have learned that: if you know how to live, you will know how to die. Jesus came to the world with a mission from his Father. So he was ready to lay down his life for that mission. Some Greeks came to Jerusalem to seek Jesus; that means they were seeking a way of life. Then Jesus gave them a new way of life: “whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” Two Sundays ago, we heard the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. Saint Paul said: “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom.” Detach from this world is Jesus’ wisdom. We are in the world, but we do not belong to the world. Christians use things in this world to bear fruits of eternal life. Whatever does not help us to go to heaven, we have to get rid of it. That is Jesus’ wisdom.


Jesus’ disciples are not afraid to die for others. Parents can sacrifice their life for their children; Martyrs of God can die for the truth; and Saints of God can die for others. Dying in Christian spirituality is different from world view. In Christian spirituality we have to put to death what causes us to sins such as, selfish pleasures, lust, greed, envy, hate or laziness, etc. It is painful to quit a bad habit that we enjoy doing. For example: it is painful to stop an addiction to pornography, alcohol, or gambling, etc. It is painful to give up our pride and our control to forgive others and to serve our church. It is always uncomfortable to follow God’s commandments and the Church’s teachings on faith and morality.


Obedience is always a tough lesson for humans to learn. In this last week of Lent, we focus our mind on Jesus' obedience. On the cross, we see the perfect example of obedience. Jesus and all the saints in the Church obey God’s will because they trust God totally. The amazing grace is this: When we submit our life to the Lord, He will make our lives fruitful. Jesus said: “when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” Saint Paul said: “Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”


Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we prepare our soul to celebrate the Paschal mystery of Christ, we reflect on Jesus’ perfect examples of obedience to his Father. He obeyed his Father till death, and died on the Cross. Can I do it? You ask. Yes, each of us can do it if we trust Him enough. Million Christians around the world and throughout centuries had done it, and they had their rewards in heaven now. Remember that: our daily crosses always bring forth salvation to ourselves and to others.

By Mary Sangster 20 Apr, 2024
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know mine and mine know me.” This John gospel is a consolation to me. So I hope it is also a consolation to you. Recently, I received an email from a parishioner who shared with me that: he is struggling with his faith when he saw our church leaders and our ministers have not lived as they supposed to be. They lived a double life. In response, I replied to him that he was right that many church leaders or community leaders failed us. However, I also remind him that our faith is in Jesus who is a “Good Shepherd,” not in human beings. Human beings are never perfect and holy as Jesus. We know that Jesus called priests from human beings, and priests still carry in them their personalities, their weakness and their broken wounds, etc. So, I ask you not to give up on us, but to pray for priests and for all pastors in the universal Church; may they be faithful and truthful to what they preach. I heard a story about Cardinal Levada who was an Archbishop of this archdiocese. On the day he left Portland for a new assignment he said to his priests: “as people made you good priests, so you, priests, made me a better bishop.” So, with your prayers, encouragement and loving supports, you can make good priest for the Church. So don’t give up on us, but help us to become holy priests after our Good Shepherd. The point is: when you have a bad experience with a priest, a monk, a nun or even a bishop, you should look up to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and pray for them. Jesus knows each of us by name. Do we know him? Knowing him very well does not only know who is he; how he lived his life; how he died; and what is his teaching etc. but also know who he wants us to be and what he wants us to do in every situations in our daily life. Knowing also means trusting. We should trust him totally in whatever situation we are. We have to trust in his guidance and his grace. Saint John said: If someone says he/she knows Him but still live in sins is a liar. So knowing Jesus also means to repent and change our way of life to His holy way. Brothers and sisters in Christ, sheep are supposed to follow their shepherd, not another way around. As the psalmist said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Although we are walking in the dark valley, we will not fear because he is with us. He will deliver us from all dangers if we have faith in Him and do what he wants. He will forgive us if we trust in his mercy and ask for forgiveness. This weekend, together with the universal Church, we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray that our Heavenly Father give us more good priests and religious brothers and sisters after our Shepherd’s heart. Parents should support and guide your sons and daughters who have a will to follow Jesus. Encourage them to participate in this parish community. To those boys in high school age, I encourage you to register to Quo Vadis camp and youth Steubenville Northwest, etc. those camps are eye opening for young people.
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