Reflection Date: March 24, 2026 | Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30
Children of God:
Pietro Sarubbi was the Italian actor who played Barabbas in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ.
Before the film, he described himself as an atheist.
Acting was simply his profession, and he approached the role as another project.
During filming, however, something unexpected happened.
In one of the scenes, he looked directly into the eyes of the actor who played Jesus, Jim Caviezel.
Sarubbi later said he felt something like an electric shock. He described the moment as deeply spiritual.
For him, it felt as if he looked into the eyes of the real Jesus.
That encounter shook him profoundly. Eventually, it led him to rediscover faith and embrace Catholicism.
In the gospel story of John, Jesus spoke to the people about his identity and mission.
Many struggled to understand what he meant. Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM” (John 8:28).
He explained that he spoke what the Father taught him and that the Father remained with him.
Some listeners did not grasp his words immediately. But others began to believe in him as he spoke.
What are our inspirations for today?
First, A real encounter with Jesus can change a person.
Pietro Sarubbi did not expect a spiritual experience while acting in a film. Yet a simple moment during a scene moved his heart deeply.
Something about the gaze of Christ touched him.
In the gospel story, the people who listened to Jesus also faced a moment of encounter. His words challenged them to see beyond appearances and recognize who he truly was.
Faith often begins with such encounters. It may happen in prayer, in a moment of silence, in Scripture, or through another person. When we truly meet Christ, something inside us begins to change.
Second, Believing in Jesus means trusting who he says he is.
Jesus spoke clearly about his relationship with the Father. He said, “The one who sent me is with me” (John 8:29). His identity came from the Father, and his mission reflected that unity.
Some people doubted him because they focused only on human appearances. They saw him as a man from Nazareth and could not see beyond that.
Faith invites us to look deeper. We are invited to trust that Jesus is more than a teacher or a historical figure. He is the one sent by the Father to bring life and truth to the world.
As we reflect today, we ask ourselves: When was the last time I truly encountered Jesus in my life? Do I allow his words to challenge and guide me? Do I believe that Christ is present with me even in ordinary moments?
Children of God:
The story of Pietro Sarubbi reminds us that grace can appear in unexpected places. A moment during a film became a doorway to faith.
Sometimes they come quietly and gently. Sometimes they surprise us and shake our hearts.
What matters is how we respond to them. Do we ignore the moment, or do we allow it to lead us closer to God?
When we recognize Jesus for who he truly is, our lives begin to change. Let us remain open to those encounters every day.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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