March 24, 2026 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Gospel: John 8:21–30
Today’s Gospel reading continues the dialogue between Jesus and the Pharisees, as recorded in the Gospel of Saint John. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on it.
We often live in this world according to our own preferences, choosing the way we think best suits us. In our view, if we can pass through this life in peace and security, nothing more is needed. The security we seek is, in fact, the complete possession of all that belongs to this world—its power, its influence, and the vanity it offers. This is precisely what the Jews of Jesus’ time were seeking: they longed for a political Messiah who would lead them to victory over the Roman Empire and restore the former glory of Israel. Clearly, their ultimate goal was very different from the end that Jesus came to offer them.
In the Church today, such attitudes are not uncommon. We often present Jesus in the image we desire. For example, if a catechumen refuses to follow the pastoral arrangements made by the parish, some catechists may portray Jesus as a God of strict justice. Likewise, in a parish where there have been no new baptisms for many years, those responsible for catechesis may present Jesus as a healer of every physical ailment, in order to attract people to the church. But when these catechumens discover that the Jesus they hear about in the Liturgy of the Word is quite different from the one they were taught in the catechism class, they may choose to leave—choosing instead the Jesus proclaimed to them through His Church, founded upon Saint Peter.
Some readers often ask me: “To whom do we belong?” My response is this: before receiving the baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we belonged to this world, which is passing away. But once we have received the baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, we no longer belong to this world—just as Jesus Himself does not belong to this world. Since we belong to Jesus, our words and actions must be consistent with Him. Only then can we proclaim everything Jesus has taught us completely, faithfully, and in its fullness.
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, that in our days the people dedicated to your service may grow in both merit and number. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
March 23, 2026 Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent / Optional Memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo Gospel: John 8:1-11
Today the Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo. The passage from the Gospel according to Saint John presents us with the scene of a woman caught in adultery. I wish to offer some reflections on this occasion.
We often treat those who live with us arbitrarily, following our own desires and the thoughts that arise in our hearts. These thoughts are frequently filled with evil notions brought by the prince of this world. Because of such evil notions, we habitually crave what is carnal—and what is craved by the flesh are the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, avarices, wickedness’s, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, pride, foolishness that come out of the heart, as Jesus said (cf. Mark 7:21-23). From these evil thoughts arise mutual accusations.
We know that what we think in our hearts, our bodies will do. Due to the nature of sin, we habitually overlook the various sins we commit against God’s holy will. This leads us, like the Pharisees in the Gospel, to take pleasure in accusing others. Yet today, Jesus tells us: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (cf. John 8:7). He asks us first to examine ourselves, recognize the sins we have committed, and under the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit, actively reconcile ourselves with God and His creation. May God’s love prevail in our hearts, so that we may live the spirit of the Gospel worthily each day. Following always the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us no longer return to our sinful past but live in God’s love, supporting one another as we journey toward heaven.
O God, by whose wondrous grace we are enriched with every blessing, grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life, that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever
March 22, 2026 Fifth Sunday of Lent Gospel: John 11:1-45
Today is the last Sunday of Lent before Holy Week. The passage from the Gospel according to Saint John presents to us the greatest sign worked by Jesus in Bethany: there, He raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, thereby revealing that He is the Lord of life. This scene resonates with our experiences in daily life.
We often face separation and loss of loved ones. In our view, when a dear one departs from us, we believe we have forever lost them, that they are no longer with us. In truth, those who are separated from us in this earthly life are only temporarily parted; on the last day, when souls and bodies are reunited, we will be with them again. Just as today, when Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was ill, He did not go immediately to Bethany but remained where He was for two more days, then set out with His disciples for Bethany (cf. John 11:1-7), in order to bring glory to God.
We often think about our relationship with God based on our own understanding of things. Just as the disciples who were traveling with Jesus that day said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews have recently sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” (John 11:8). For in their eyes, this earthly life seemed more important than eternal life. Their concern for Jesus’ safety stemmed from the fear that if they lost Him, they would lose what they believed to be the Messiah who would restore all Israel—just as Saint John records elsewhere: “You are seeking Me not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). If Jesus were stoned to death by the Jews, all their hopes would be shattered.
In truth, by the Sacrament of Baptism we have received, we have been cleansed of original sin by the abundant mercy of God, who pours out the living water flowing from the heart of Jesus—the very water He proclaimed in the temple on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles: “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (cf. John 7:37-39). Through Baptism, we are united with Christ, and our souls have been set free, as Paul says: “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).
By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God, may we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, your Son handed himself over to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
全属于祢 
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