THE MISSION OF THE JESUS CHRIST (HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF LENT APRIL 2023

Homily for Saturday of the 5th week of Lent

Ezekiel 37:21-28. Jeremiah 31:10,11-12ab,13. John 11:45-57.

"The Lord will keep us, as a shepherd keeps his flock," our Responsorial Psalm today is being fulfilled in the prophecy of Ezekiel in the first reading. In this prophecy,God promised to bring the people of Israel together from where they are scattered and make them one nation. They will have one shepherd in the person of David, who shall be king over them (cf.Ezek.38:21). Prophet Ezekiel speaks of a future king, David, who will eventually be the Messiah.

Concerning the mission of the Messiah, Christ Jesus, whose mission is to save the world through his sufferings, death, and resurrection, another prophecy is made by the high priest, Caiaphas in today's Gospel. He said, "You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish" (John 11:50). Though he did not know what he was saying.

The literal meaning intended by Caiaphas was that putting  Jesus to death, the Romans would come and destroy both the holy place and the nation (cf.John 11:48). The deeper meaning St. John saw in the words of Caiaphas that the death of Jesus was necessary for the salvation of the world.

From Caiaphas prophecy, we can see that God writes straight even with crooked lines. Even with unmeditated and abrupt actions of human beings, God can still achieve his perfect plans.

We should never lose sight of the fact that even in most difficult and frustrating situations, God is ever in control. He is unstoppable. He turns things around into good for those who love him (cf.Rom.8:28). No matter what we are going through, let us be calm and not be in a hurry to make decisions, resulting in further pains.

May God bring about the best in our life's challenges through Christ our Lord. Amen.