I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

This month Lent begins. A time when the Church encourages you to reflect on your life before our Lord and Father. How are you living your life presently? Be honest, is there peace, joy and hope in your heart? That is what you are given, a time of discernment.

Lent begins with Scripture readings that encourage you to listen to the Word of God. The Lenten Season begins with John the Baptist speaking of repentance, if the paths you walk are not what God wants for you, then John strongly proclaims that you must straighten your paths, and to do so, you must examine your consciences; God gave you a conscience so that you could tell good from evil. How wonderful was this man, whom people often confused with his cousin, Jesus; they asked him, “Who are you? ”John answered, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, who comes after me, and [I] am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandal.” (cf. Jn. 1:19-28). John the Baptist’s focus was repent, from the Greek word Metanoia, which means a profound conversion to God; so too is your initial Lenten focus.

Baptism is a public sign of repentance and acceptance of the Lord’s Mercy. The Word of God speaks of the next step in the Lenten journey, when John the Baptist was arrested, then Jesus took up the call of repentance “from that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!” (cf. Mt 4:12-25); His first proclamation was to repent, which John the Baptist had already begun, and the prophets had prophesied. Jesus begins His call with the word Metanoia: repent! The next step is to listen to the Good News, that is the word, Gospel. This Season, I want you to meditate on these two steps.

Bad news is pervasive while good news seems to be scarce. Sadly, what you get on TV is mostly bad news even if they try to close the show with a better piece of news. Well, Jesus came to give Good News. And what is behind this Good News? That you are loved; that someone has been watching you since you were in your mother's womb; that God has Loved you ever since. And that is only part of the Good News! Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (cf. Jn 10:10).

Jesus Christ Himself is the Good News. He wants you to live this life in Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope but not in news that the world has to offer. Moreover, the Good News is the Lamb of God. The death of Jesus is a manifestation of the great Love of God the Father and His Son for you; that death comes to pay for and forgive your sins. But what does that actually mean? It means that He is opening the door of Heaven for you so that one day you may be in His Kingdom and share Eternal Life, that is, live forever, happy, without tears or pain, without anguish or worries. The Gospel is the Good News, an Evangelium Gaudium, that is, pure Joy. If you accepted this Good News, then continue to walk with Him on the path of Life; Lent is a time to discern your path and to act.

Jesus said, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.” I can testify that one day, Saturday, March 31, at Mass, I had my Metanoia, and from that day on I began to walk my new path, and today I can say that it was my best decision ever as I am living a Joyful life. Jesus will always be my way. He is the only Truth I need to believe; He is abundant life here and one day I will be in Heaven, where there is no more death, sickness, or worries; everything is pure Joy, no sins or sinners in His Kingdom, only oneness.

This month we celebrate the day of love; some call it Valentine’s Day. Isn’t it wonderful that a day exists to encourage people to love others. Jesus Christ is the Love of loves, however, as He gave everything, not just words of love, not just a nice gift, but He offered Himself in sacrifice. He suffered torture for the Love of you and I. That is why St. John said, “beloved, let us love one another, because Love comes from God; everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, since God is Love.” (1 Jn 4:7-8) So, those
who know Jesus know what Love is. Otherwise, we cannot know what true love is.

As Lent begins, a time to deeply think about and see your life as God does, I encourage you during this Season of Metanoia and Good News to act. Dear brothers and sisters, this must be our greatest hope and consolation leading upto Easter, that Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that you might rise with Him. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and your sins are not forgiven,” said the Apostle Saint Paul. (1 Cor 15:17); your faith is not in vain, because you believe in the only one who has risen in the history of humanity by His own power, and with that power He rose and will raise all those who Believe in Him and Hope in Him.

To my sisters in Jesus, let our beloved Jesus Christ Love you. Please do everything in your power to attend the Metanoia Congress prepared especially for you; this year’s motto is “His Word gives us Life,” which will be held on the last day of this month, the 28th, and March 1st. I assure you that you will abundantly receive the Love that your heart so desperately needs. The Virgin Mary loves you, and wants you to meet her Son, because therein lies the greatest miracle of life. So, now you know, Jesus is Metanoia, and you will find Salvation in Him; our Mother Mary also awaits you with open arms.

To assist you as you assess your life during Lent, I invite you to Consecrate your Life to Jesus through the ESNE73 APP. Download the app for an experience that will change your life through the Sacred Scripture. Don’t miss this opportunity and join us on this Metanoia path. If you need further guidance, please call (818) 912-5842. You can also write to info@iam73.net, and one of our brothers or sisters will assist you and guide you on the path of life-long discipleship.

I wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! I pray for Virgin Mary’s intercession in your marriages and households so that the Eternal Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may always reign in them.

Your friend and servant,