5th Sunday of Lent
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Brothers and sisters, in the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Gospel Reading: John 12:20-33
On those days some Greeks who had came to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Jesus speaks about himself and his death. He also speaks about the purpose for which he has come. He has come to be glorified. But the glory that he speaks about is like the wheat that falls to the ground. He has come to live the eternal life here on earth. He has come to show the eternal life here.
His followers also should have the same life. He has come to communicate this life to his followers. He has come to show the people that life is in the cross (in death). Everyone who wants to be a follower of him should pick up his own cross and go after him. Cross is the only accompanying thing into eternal life.
His followers also should have the same life. He has come to communicate this life to his followers. He has come to show the people that life is in the cross (in death). Everyone who wants to be a follower of him should pick up his own cross and go after him. Cross is the only accompanying thing into eternal life.
