Praise be to Jesus Christ 

 

How was your week?  I hope God’s blessings are with each and every one of you who have been observing Lent dutifully.  

 

We think of the cross when we reflect on Easter; it symbolizes passion, sacrifice, and death.  But it also brings out the hope; the cross unequivocally reveals God’s love and salvation for all of us.  Today’s gospel describes God’s love and salvation: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)  

 

God loves the world and gave us His only Son and who ever believe in him may have eternal life.  Through the cross God clearly reveals his love and salvation.   “God, thank you for giving us your love and salvation through the cross.”  

 

We also find others who carry their own cross.  Since February 1, Myanmar military started Coup de tat resulting in shooting and deaths along with escalation in demonstrations.  There was a one picture in particular that shocked the world; a nun kneeling in front of the police saying “Please shoot me instead of the demonstrator.”  She was carrying her own cross.  A father of a 3 year old also sacrificed his life in the demonstration saying this is a worthy cause to die for.  Perhaps, we can only walk the righteous path through the cross.    

 

“God, please protect Myanmar people and be merciful.”  

“May the sacrifice of its people be the seed of hope for all.”  

 

In our own lives, there are numerous small and large crosses we must carry.  When we struggle with COVID and living as an immigrant away from our homeland, we are carrying our own cross.  When we sacrifice for our children and when we volunteer for the church and community, we are carrying our own cross.  When we overcome our psychological and physical sufferings; when we share suffering we our own family, it is our own cross to bear.  We may be able to discover merit and hope as we carry our own burden and submit to Jesus.  

“God, please protect the faithful as they carry their own daily cross and be merciful.”  

 

Today is the fourth Sunday in Lent.  We thank for God’s love and salvation through the cross.  I hope we can discover the hope as we carry our own cross and complete the remaining Lenten season with confidence.  

 

Let us meditate for a moment.