Third Sunday in Lent

All of us have, at some stage, seen the humble bumblebee. We see them flying around, from flower to flower, spreading pollen. Few of us are likely to have thought much more about them, other than that we need to be wary of their sting. Or perhaps, that we desperately need to retain bees as a part of our ecosystem, for our own survival.

Scientists who have studied bees have said that these insects should not be able to fly. They have the wrong body shape and their wings are too small to lift them up. The trouble is, no one told the bumblebee, who simply seemed to figure that they have wings and therefore they can fly… so they do!!

This is one of God’s miracles of creation!! It is something that should be impossible but, by the creative power of God, it is a fact for which we have no explanation.

We human beings are not built to fly … but supposedly we are made in the image and likeness of Jesus … so we should be able to resist temptation and love our neighbours and forgiving our enemies seems a hopeless task. Fitting us into a Christ shaped mould seems as impossible as a bee lifting up in flight. A man said that he invited a friend to go to church with him. The friend answered, “Well, I’d like to go. But the church is so full of hypocrites.” The man replied, “That’s okay. There’s always room for one more.” Christians are not perfect, but they know themselves to be forgiven!! This is a truth that Christians need to remember whenever they are tempted to make judgements on others.

So, you have slipped into bad habits? You realise you have made mistakes and fallen into sin? You can’t forgive a neighbour, a brother or a sister? And you believe that to truly follow Jesus is an impossibility? You say in your heart “I cannot do this and I’m not supposed to, after all, I am merely human” But, remember the bumblebee, it shouldn’t be able to fly, but through the power and strength of God it does.

Faith is the power by which we too step beyond the possible to “move mountains”. Faith in God is what enables us to know the reality of the resurrection. May this be your hope and belief?