Showered with grace

The Spirit of God dwells in you [Romans 8:9]

The Holy Spirit, who raised Christ from the dead, is also poured out within us, enabling us to overcome temptation, follow Christ, love our neigbours, march towards light, and be showered by God’s grace, passing from death to life, and becoming true people of God.

Jesus deeply loved Lazarus and was moved by his death due to illness. Even when Lazarus’ body had already begun to decay and everyone thought his death was a foregone conclusion, Jesus revealed, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” [John 11:25-26]. 

At the time, although Martha was already a follower of Jesus, she did not understand the true meaning of resurrection. Jesus asked her, “Do you believe this?” Martha immediately understood that those who believe in Jesus would live forever, that physical death does not deprive people of this true life, and expressed her faith to Jesus, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (John 11:27). Jesus, in front of everyone, demonstrated his authority to raise the dead and brought Lazarus back to life. This is exactly what Jesus said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (Jn 11:4) Jesus’ resurrecting Lazarus was like a prelude to his own death and resurrection.

Christian faith is built on Christ’s love for the world, his willingness to sacrifice himself for human sin, to die on the cross, to gloriously resurrect three days later, and to be back in God’s kingdom. When we are baptised in Christ, we express our willingness to abandon our old selves [to renounce the past of following our sinful nature] and to be born again in Christ [to live a spiritual life following Christ’s example, with the help of the Holy Spirit], and to enjoy God’s grace.

We face all kinds of temptations every day. To choose to follow the teachings of Christ seems more and more old fashioned. To love our neighbour looks foolish too. How should we Christians face this secular world today? Since the creation of the world, God has known our weaknesses and given us commandments to follow, so that humankind would know what to do and what not to do. 

More than 2,000 years ago, God sent us his only Son who set us the example of loving God and loving others. Even in today’s era of artificial intelligence, the Holy Spirit still dwells in us. When we do all things with our heart, that is, to let the Holy Spirit guides our every decision, others will see the presence of Christ in us.

The fifth Sunday of Lent is the day of the third scrutiny for those preparing for baptism, and it is also the final stage of their preparation to die and be reborn with Christ through water and the Holy Spirit during the Easter Vigil. Let us join them in reiterating our commitment to God, encouraging one another, and continuing to do good works worthy of being called children of God.

Lenten Campaign Organising Committee, 2023