PASTORAL BLOG

Welcome to our Sermons & Reflections page! Here, you’ll find weekly messages that offer spiritual nourishment, encouragement, and insight into God’s Word. Whether you missed a service or want to revisit a sermon, this space is designed to help you grow in faith.

Each week, I will share my Sunday sermons along with written reflections to deepen our understanding of Scripture and how it applies to our daily lives. My hope is that these messages inspire and guide you on your spiritual journey.

Stay connected, engage with the Word, and feel free to share these reflections with others. May God’s grace continue to strengthen us as we walk together in faith!

Behind Closed doors

The Gift of His Presence
(John 20:19-31)

The Gospel of John was written to strengthen and deepen the faith of those who already believed in Jesus. Early Christian writer Clement once said that John wrote a "spiritual Gospel," emphasizing not just the events of Jesus' life, but their deeper meaning. Throughout John’s Gospel, we see that the Word became flesh and entered the world to bring life to all who believe. The Gospel can be divided into two main sections: the ministry of Jesus and his glorification through death and resurrection. In John 20, we step into the moment after the resurrection when Jesus’ presence becomes a transforming gift to his fearful followers.

The disciples were gathered behind locked doors, afraid of the authorities and uncertain about what the future held. Fear often leads us to close ourselves off, to hide from what we cannot control. In their fear, the disciples did not expect what happened next: Jesus came and stood among them. His presence shattered the isolation created by their fear. Often, what we most need in moments of fear or uncertainty is not a solution, but a presence — someone willing to be with us, to carry the weight of uncertainty together. Jesus did not come with a rebuke; he came with peace. His very presence was the first gift of the resurrection.

As Jesus stood among them, the disciples were filled with joy. The presence of the resurrected Christ turned their fear into celebration. Resurrection is not just the promise of life after death — it is the gift of joy in the present moment. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto them, marking a new creation, much like God breathed life into Adam in the beginning. The Spirit brought not only peace but exultation — a deep, unshakable joy that no locked door could keep out. Resurrection joy and the gift of the Spirit go hand in hand, both pointing us to the abundant life Jesus came to give.

Eight days later, the disciples again found themselves behind locked doors, and this time Thomas was with them. Thomas had famously demanded tangible proof before he would believe. He needed something he could touch and see. Jesus, once again, came into their midst, offering Thomas exactly what he needed: his wounded, resurrected body. Jesus invited Thomas to look and to touch, meeting his doubts with grace. In doing so, Jesus showed that faith is not about having no questions, but about trusting the One who stands among us, even with our doubts.

The gift of Jesus' presence is the heart of resurrection faith. He meets us behind our locked doors of fear, he breathes his Spirit into our lives, he fills us with joy, and he invites us to believe. Whether we find ourselves rejoicing or wrestling with questions like Thomas, the Risen Christ still comes to us with peace. His presence is the gift that strengthens our faith, renews our courage, and sends us out into the world to share the life we have received.

He Came Anyway

Despite knowing what was to come, Jesus still entered the city.

Today we stand in a holy tension. We began our service with Hosannas—palms waving, joyful voices celebrating the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. But we know where the story leads: to betrayal, trial, and the Cross.

Palm Sunday invites us into a truth that’s easy to forget: that God’s way of saving us does not follow the path of power, but the path of love.

The same crowd that shouted “Hosanna” would later cry “Crucify him.” But Jesus does not flinch. He rides into the city not on a war horse, but on a donkey—humble, peaceful, vulnerable.

Why? Because He came not to conquer us, but to love us. Not to demand loyalty, but to give His life for ours.

We may want to linger in the celebration, but Jesus invites us to walk with Him through the pain of the Passion. Only when we go through the Cross can we arrive at Easter’s empty tomb.

So let us hold this Holy Week as sacred—following Jesus from cheers to the Cross, knowing that even in suffering, love is never defeated.

Amen.

Extravagant love

Extravagant Love

John 12:1-8
1. Introduction

This week we arrive at the 5th Sunday in Lent. Our Gospel reading is from John 12, the account of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wiping them with her hair.

John tells us that the fragrance of the perfume filled the entire house. It was a beautiful and intimate act of devotion—an act that some, like Judas Iscariot, criticized. He argued that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus saw something deeper in Mary’s action. He knew that this was a preparation for what was to come.

At this point in the story, we are just days away from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem—what we now call Palm Sunday—and from there, we move into the events of Holy Week.

As we reflect on this moment in Jesus' journey to the cross, we are invited to ask:
What lessons can we draw from Mary’s extravagant gesture?
What does this passage reveal about love, sacrifice, and true discipleship?

2. Extravagant Love Is a Response to Grace

Mary's act of anointing Jesus was not random. It came from a heart full of gratitude. Just one chapter earlier, Jesus raised Lazarus, her brother, from the dead. Her home, once filled with mourning, was now filled with life.

Mary's love was personal and costly.
She poured out something precious because she had received something priceless.
Extravagant love begins when we truly understand what Jesus has done for us.

Reflection:
Have you paused to remember what Jesus has done for you? How do you respond to His grace?

3. Extravagant Love Breaks Social Expectations

In Mary’s time, what she did was shocking:

She let down her hair in public (a scandalous act for a woman in that culture).
She touched a man’s feet and wiped them with her hair.
She used perfume worth a year’s wages—a luxury most would never dream of wasting.

Judas represents the voice of criticism, practicality, and self-interest. He talks about the poor, but John tells us his heart was not sincere.

Love that follows Jesus doesn't always make sense to the world.
Sometimes, it looks foolish or irresponsible, but it's sincere and courageous.

Reflection:
Are you willing to love Jesus even if it seems foolish in the eyes of others?

4. Extravagant Love Joins Jesus in His Journey to the Cross

Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial."
Mary's action prophetically pointed to Jesus’ death. She anointed Him as if for burial. While others missed what was coming, Mary somehow understood the moment.

True discipleship means walking with Jesus even into suffering.
Extravagant love means being present in the hard places, not just the joyful ones.

Reflection:
Are we willing to walk with Jesus through Lent, through Holy Week, and all the way to the cross?

5. Conclusion: The Fragrance of Love

John tells us that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
When we love Jesus with all our hearts, the fragrance of that love fills the space around us. Others are blessed, even if they don’t understand it.

This Lent, may we be like Mary:

Grateful for grace
Bold in love
Willing to follow Jesus, no matter the cost

A GLIMPSE INTO LAST SUNDAY’S SERMON

4th Sunday in Lent

Lost and Found
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Introduction: The Scandal of Grace

Justice, in human terms, is about fairness—rewarding the good and punishing the bad. But in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, God seems to act "unjustly." He loves, forgives, and redeems those who, by our standards, do not deserve it. This challenges our view of justice, revealing that God’s justice is not built on punishment but on grace.

Today, I want to explore the profound truth that God’s justice is found in grace, not retribution. His love defies our expectations of fairness, offering mercy where we would demand judgment. This parable teaches us that in God’s kingdom, being lost is not the end of the story—being found is.

1. God Loves Those Who Do Not Deserve Love

The younger son is reckless and selfish. He demands his inheritance—a shocking act that, in Jewish culture, was akin to saying, “Father, I wish you were dead.” He wasts it in wild living, ending up starving in a pigsty. By all accounts, he has lost his right to be called a son.

Yet, when he returns, the father does not just forgive him—he runs to him, embraces him, and throws a feast. Culturally, this is humiliating for the father, but love overrides dignity. To human eyes, this is unfair love—shouldn’t love be earned? But in God’s economy, love is not transactional; it is unconditional.

Many struggle to believe that God loves them after they have messed up. This parable assures us that God's love does not depend on our worthiness but on His character. If you feel unworthy, remember: God runs toward the undeserving.

2. God Forgives Those Who Do Not Deserve Forgiveness

The older brother is furious. He has stayed home, obeyed, and worked hard. Yet, there is no party for him. When he sees the father’s forgiveness toward his sinful brother, he cannot accept it. He believes justice demands punishment, not celebration.

We often think like the older brother. It is easier to accept grace for ourselves but difficult to extend it to others—especially those who have hurt us. But God’s forgiveness is not based on merit. It is freely given, even to the worst offenders. This offends our sense of fairness, yet it is the very heart of the gospel.

Nelson Mandela, after spending 27 years in prison under an unjust system, chose forgiveness over revenge. Instead of seeking retribution against his oppressors, he led South Africa into reconciliation, proving that true justice is found in mercy. This is the kind of forgiveness that mirrors God’s heart.

Are we withholding forgiveness from someone because we believe they don’t deserve it? If God forgives freely, how can we refuse to extend the same grace?

3. God Redeems Those Who Do Not Deserve Redemption

The younger son did nothing to restore himself—his only plan was to return as a servant. But the father restores him as a son, giving him a robe (honor), a ring (authority), and sandals (freedom).

This is the ultimate "injustice": God does not just forgive sinners—He restores them, as if they had never sinned. That is redemption. It is undeserved, unearned, and utterly extravagant.

Lent is a season of repentance, but it is also a season of grace. No matter how far we have wandered, God’s arms remain open to redeem and restore. Will we accept His grace?

Conclusion: The Cross as the Ultimate “Lost and Found” Story

The parable of the Prodigal Son foreshadows the cross, where God’s greatest act of grace is displayed. The innocent One is punished so the guilty can be forgiven. Jesus takes on our punishment so that we might receive grace. If God were “fair” by human standards, we would all be lost. But His justice is grace.

Illustration: When Pope John Paul II visited the man who tried to assassinate him, he didn’t just forgive him—he met with him, spoke kindly, and even advocated for his release. This radical forgiveness reflects what Jesus did for us on the cross.

As we journey through Lent, let us embrace this divine grace. May we, like the prodigal, run to the Father. May we, unlike the older brother, rejoice in grace rather than resent it. And may we extend the same scandalous love, forgiveness, and redemption to others that God has given us.

Amen.

A Glimpse into Last Sunday’s Sermon

3rd Sunday in Lent

Luke 13:1-9

The Call to Repentance

Introduction
We are now in the season of Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses a crucial question: Does suffering come as a result of sin? He then shares a parable about a barren fig tree that is given another chance to bear fruit. Through this passage, Jesus calls us to repentance—not simply as an avoidance of punishment, but as a transformation of heart and life.

Luke 13:1-9 is a powerful passage for Lent, especially when reflecting on repentance and transformation. This text has two key sections:

Section1: Verses 1-5 – Jesus challenges the common belief that suffering is always a result of sin. He emphasizes that everyone needs repentance, not just those who suffer tragic events.

Section 2: Verses 6-9 – The parable of the barren fig tree shows God's patience and mercy, but also the urgency of repentance. The tree is given more time, but it must bear fruit.

1. Repentance: More Than Just Regret
Jesus begins by responding to news about two tragic events: the Galileans killed by Pilate and those who perished when the tower of Siloam fell. People assumed these victims must have been worse sinners, but Jesus refutes this idea. He makes it clear: "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." This is not a warning about physical death but about spiritual destruction.

Repentance (metanoia) is more than feeling guilty. It means turning away from sin and reorienting our lives toward God. It is a change of direction, a new way of seeing and living.

2. The Parable of the Fig Tree: God’s Patience and Our Responsibility
Jesus then tells the parable of the fig tree. The owner expects fruit, but after three years, the tree remains barren. The gardener pleads for more time, offering to care for it in hopes that it will bear fruit.

The fig tree represents us—called to bear the fruit of faith and righteousness.

The owner represents God’s justice—expecting growth and transformation.

The gardener represents Jesus—interceding for us, offering grace and nurture.

God is patient, but repentance requires action. We are given time, but that time must be used wisely. Are we growing spiritually? Are we bearing fruit in our lives—acts of love, mercy, and justice?

3. What Does It Mean to Change Your Heart and Life?
Jesus’ call to repentance is not just about avoiding punishment but about embracing transformation. "Change your heart and life" means:

Turning from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.

Moving from judgment of others to self-examination.

Shifting from apathy to action—living out our faith in daily life.

Lent is our season to tend to the soil of our hearts, removing what hinders growth and making space for God to work. This is our time to bear fruit.

Conclusion: The Time Is Now
The parable leaves us with an open ending. Will the fig tree bear fruit? The answer depends on how we respond to God’s call today.

Jesus invites us to repentance, not as a burden, but as an opportunity for new life. Let us not wait another year. Let us change our hearts and lives now, living fully in God’s grace and bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.