The readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent concentrate on the approaching death of Jesus which Paul considers a priestly sacrifice and John considers the moment of Jesus’ “exaltation” and “glorification.” We are all offered a challenge by these readings. If we are to achieve our goal of heaven we must stop thinking of ourselves and instead live lives of giving of ourselves to others through our actions. Think for a moment of some everyday events such as lighting a candle – it will emit light from it’s burning wick until all the wax is consumed. Similarly salt does nothing until used in cooking to provide taste. Parents show their love for their children through sacrifice – home schooling during the Covid lockdown has called for a huge effort by parents, often in limited accommodation and trying to balance work with helping and supporting their children. Think of Mother Teresa who gave up her comfortable teaching career, and with just 5 rupees (13p) in her pocket began her challenging life for the “poorest of the poor” in the crowded slums of Calcutta. Let us do the same and think of others. Pick up the phone and call someone who is unable to go out and possibly lonely. Write a letter to someone, perhaps someone living alone or is unwell. Make a difference in the life of someone.
There is story with the title: “I made a difference for that one.” (Adapted and condensed from “The Star Thrower” – a story by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977), from the book Unexpected Universe): One day, a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going down. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” “Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!” After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “See, I made a difference for that one.” Surely that tells of the power within each one of us to make a difference in the lives of others.