What does it mean to be the Church? In John 14:23–29, Jesus offers a powerful vision: “We will come and make our home with them.” This promise reframes our understanding of the Christian life. The Church is not just a building or a weekly gathering, but a spiritual home where God chooses to dwell. Christian community is built on love—a love that welcomes God’s presence and transforms us into a living sanctuary. When we love and follow Jesus, we become not only individual followers of Christ but a shared dwelling place of God’s peace, love, and Spirit.

            Jesus draws a clear connection between love and obedience: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” This obedience is not rooted in fear or duty but in the joyful response of love. Following Jesus is not about rules—it’s about relationship. And as we grow in this relationship, our shared obedience becomes the foundation of a community where God is present. The Church, then, is a space where love leads us to live by Jesus’ words, and where God’s presence is made real in the daily lives and relationships of believers.

           Jesus also promises the gift of the Holy Spirit—our Helper and Teacher. As he prepared his disciples for his departure, he reassured them that they would not be left alone. The Spirit would continue his work among them, guiding and teaching them. This promise extends to us today. For new members of the Church, this is a comforting truth: you are not stepping into an institution but into a Spirit-filled family. The Spirit helps us grow in faith, reminds us of Jesus’ words, and shapes us into the Church God intends us to be.

           Jesus concludes this part of his teaching with another gift: peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” This peace is not like the world’s peace—fragile, conditional, and temporary. Christ’s peace is deep, enduring, and healing. The Church must reflect this peace. It should be a place where people experience wholeness, reconciliation, and rest. For those who arrive with spiritual wounds, doubts, or fears, the Church can become a place of safety and restoration—a home in every sense of the word.

            So how do we live this out? We begin by welcoming one another in love. When we do, we become the Body of Christ, the home of God. We ask ourselves: Are we being led by the Spirit? Are we creating a peaceful, loving environment for new and long-time members alike? Our calling is not to maintain a religious organization, but to become a family where God dwells. To all who enter—newcomers and lifelong believers—the message is the same: this is not just a church. This is a home, filled with love, peace, and the living presence of God.

Introduction

Today, I invite you to listen carefully—not just to my voice, but to the voice of the Shepherd. In John 10:22–30, Jesus stands in the temple during the Festival of Dedication and makes one of the clearest and most powerful claims about who He is: "I and the Father are one."
This declaration isn’t made in a vacuum—it comes after Jesus has been describing Himself as the Good Shepherd, and it echoes Psalm 23, which many of us know by heart.

Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be sheep in His flock, and why it is so important to listen to His voice.

1. The Shepherd and the Sheep

Jesus uses a metaphor familiar to His listeners: the shepherd and the flock.
Psalm 23 says: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
John 10 says: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

There is an intimate relationship here. It is built on recognition, trust, and obedience. The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice, and He knows them personally. This is not a distant or generic relationship—it is deeply personal and rooted in love.

This bond is more than poetic language; Jesus is telling us that He knows us, not just collectively, but individually. He knows your voice, your heart, your struggles. He calls you by name.

2. What It Means to Be Sheep

Now, here’s the truth we don’t always like to admit: sheep are not the smartest animals. They’re vulnerable, easily distracted, and often get lost.

• We get lost easily—in our decisions, in our doubts, in our fears.
• We walk without direction—chasing success, approval, or comfort, and forgetting where our true home is.

We need a Shepherd. We need guidance.
Psalm 23 reminds us: "He leads me beside still waters… He restores my soul… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
Why? Because the Shepherd is with us.

And John 10 confirms it: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
What a promise. We are held in the hands of the Good Shepherd.

3. The Shepherd’s Voice and Authority

Jesus says that His authority comes from the Father.
“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all.”
This is not a borrowed power—it’s a divine mission. He is one with the Father.
To hear Jesus is to hear God. To follow Jesus is to follow God.
When we respond to the voice of Jesus, we are aligning our lives with the will of the One who created us and loves us.

Let’s ask ourselves today: whose voice are we following?
There are many voices in the world—voices of fear, anger, greed, and despair.
But the Shepherd’s voice is different: it’s a voice of love, truth, and life.

Conclusion: Listen and Follow

We are not just called to believe in Jesus—we are called to follow Him.

• Like sheep, we need His guidance.
• Like sheep, we are safest when we stay close to the Shepherd.
• And like sheep, we find peace when we hear His voice.

So today, friends, if you feel lost, anxious, or tired—remember that the Shepherd is calling you.
He promises:

• Provision and guidance (Psalm 23)
• Presence and protection (John 10)
• And above all, eternal life in His care.

Let us listen to His voice. Let us follow Him with trust.
And let us rest in the truth that nothing—nothing—can snatch us out of His hand.

Amen.

Today, we come to the end of John’s Gospel—chapter 21—a story that takes place after the resurrection. And yet, even after the empty tomb, there is still unfinished business. Not everything is whole. One disciple in particular is carrying deep failure, guilt, and questions. His name is Peter. And this passage is a story of how God’s love rescues him—and us.

1. Failure, Shame, and Distance

Let me begin with a question:
Have you ever messed up so badly that you thought God was done with you?
That’s where we find Peter.

Not long ago, Peter had boldly declared: “Even if everyone else abandons you, I won’t!” But just hours later, in the courtyard, he denies Jesus—not once, not twice, but three times.

And now, Jesus is risen from the dead. But Peter still feels broken. Ashamed. Useless. What do you do when you believe in the resurrection, but you're still carrying guilt?

You go back to what’s familiar.

And so, Peter says, “I’m going fishing.” He goes back to the boat, back to Galilee, back to life before Jesus. And the others follow him.

But that night—they catch nothing.

2. Love Comes to Us (vv. 1–14)

Then, in the early morning, they see a man on the shore. He calls out: “Children, do you have any fish?”
They answer: “No.”

And then He says, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat.” They obey—and suddenly the net is full of fish!
That’s when John turns to Peter and says, “It is the Lord!”

Peter doesn’t wait. He throws on his coat, jumps in the water, and swims to shore. He is desperate to be near Jesus.

And when they arrive, what do they find?

A fire. Bread. And fish on the coals.
Jesus has made breakfast. He says, “Come and eat.”

Friends, this is the heart of the gospel:
Before Jesus says anything about sin, He serves.
Before He corrects Peter, He cooks for him.
Before He restores him, He feeds him.

Jesus meets us not with judgment, but with grace.

That’s the kind of love that rescues: not a lecture, but a meal. Not rejection, but restoration.

3. Love Restores Us (vv. 15–19)

After breakfast, Jesus turns to Peter. This is the moment Peter has been dreading.

He doesn’t say, “Peter, why did you fail me?”
He doesn’t say, “I told you so.”
He simply asks:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Peter responds, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.”
Jesus says, “Feed my lambs.”

He asks a second time:
“Do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Take care of my sheep.”

Then a third time—matching Peter’s three denials—Jesus asks again:
“Do you love me?”

This time, Peter is hurt.
“Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
And Jesus says again: “Feed my sheep.”

Do you see what’s happening?

Jesus isn’t trying to embarrass Peter.
He’s giving Peter a new beginning.

Each “Do you love me?” is not a test. It’s an invitation.

Each response is followed by a mission:
“Feed my sheep.”
In other words: I still believe in you, Peter. I still trust you with my people.

Peter denied Jesus three times—and Jesus gives him three chances to affirm his love. This is not coincidence. It’s grace on purpose.

4. Love Sends Us

Then Jesus says the words He said at the beginning of their journey:
“Follow me.”

Isn’t that amazing?

The same Peter who sank in the water…
The same Peter who cut off a man’s ear…
The same Peter who denied Jesus three times…

Jesus says to that Peter:
“Feed my sheep. Follow me.”

Because God’s love doesn’t just forgive. It restores. It gives you back your place at the table.

5. What About Us?

Friends, maybe today you feel like Peter.

Maybe you’ve made mistakes. Maybe you feel ashamed, distant from God. Maybe you’ve gone back to “fishing”—just doing what’s familiar, because it feels like the calling is over.

But hear this:

• God’s love comes to find you.
• God’s love prepares a place for you.
• God’s love invites you back to the table.
• God’s love restores you to purpose.

God’s love rescues you.

6. Conclusion: The Invitation Still Stands

I don’t know what you’re carrying today. But I know this:
There’s a fire on the beach. There’s breakfast on the coals. There’s a Savior waiting.

And He’s asking,
“Do you love me?”

Not “Did you do everything right?”
Not “Why did you mess up?”
But simply:
“Do you love me?”

And if your answer is yes, then hear His voice again:
“Feed my sheep. Follow me.”

Because God’s love still rescues. And it’s rescuing you—today.

Amen.

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.

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

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.