READINGS:
1 R : Is 65 : 17 - 21.
Ps 29 : 2 and 4, 5 - 6, 11 - 12a and 13b.
Gos : Jn 4 : 43 - 54.
AS THE EASTER COMES NEARER,WE MUST REMEMBER THAT, FOR THE CATECHUMENS, BAPTISM ALSO IS NEARER, BECAUSE ORIGINALLY LENT WAS A PREPARATION PERIOD FOR THE CATECHUMENS.
TODAY'S READINGS THEREFORE, ARE REFLECTIONS ON THE ' FRUITS ' OF BAPTISM.
IN THE FIRST READING WE HAVE THREE IMAGERIES RELATED TO NEW AND ETERNAL LIFE.
1. THE PERSON WHO IS A 100 YEARS OLD IS CONSIDERED YOUNG.. AND WHO DIES BEFORE 100 IS CONSIDERED CURSED...
OBVIOUSLY WE CAN DRAW THE LESSON OF ' ETERNITY '.
2. THEY WILL BUILD HOUSES.....
REFERENCE IS TO PERMANENCY. EVERY BELIEVER ACCEPTS THAT ONE'S HOUSE IS HEAVEN. HERE WE HAVE ONLY ' TENTS '.
3. THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM HAS A REFERENCE TO THOSE WHO SOW IN TEARS AND REJOICE AS THEY REAP. THIS HAS REFERENCE TO HUMAN EXISTENCE IN WHICH THERE WOULD BE CONCERNS AND TEARS YET THE FINAL OUTCOME WOULD BE ETERNAL JOY.
THE GOSPEL STORY OF THE CENTURION IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVER TO ACCEPT THE WORD OF GOD IN FAITH AND TURN TOWARDS JESUS.
