Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B – March 17, 2024.
Readings: Jer. 31:31-34; Ps 50:3-4,12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; Gospel – John 12:20-33.
Theme: Lifting Others!
Sunday Synopsis
In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah says the Lord will make a covenant with the House of Israel. The second reading states that Christ “learned to obey through suffering.” The gospel tells how Jesus replied to the Greeks, Galileans as well as Philip and Andrew that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He emphasises in veiled language that unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, as we approach the Paschal events, the Church urges us to pay attention to details. Already, our liturgical readings point to the arrest and passion of the Lord. What is interesting is Jesus’ assertion “When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). This shall form the fulcrum of our reflection given that we are living in times when clerics prefer to draw attention to themselves rather than to Christ. Our reflection hopes to find a nexus between being lifted and lifting others, towards glorification in Christ Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being. We shall also draw some practical lessons and do a recap of the points that need to be taken to heart.
Background and Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Jer. 31:31-34), the Prophet Jeremiah says the Lord will make a covenant with the House of Israel. He assured that God will make a new covenant “Deep within them” by planting His Law and “writing it on their hearts.” The reading suggests that based on the demands of this new covenant, God will forgive their iniquity by not calling to mind their sins. The striking point of the reading is the obedience of faith through keeping the commandments of God written in the hearts of the people.
The second reading (Heb. 5:7-9) states that Christ “learned to obey through suffering.” The Epistle sums up the virtues of “prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death” by stressing that Jesus “submitted so humbly that His prayer was heard. Because of this heroic obedience and humility, we are told that “having been made perfect, He became for all who obey Him, the source of eternal salvation” – In order words, He lifted all people to Himself.
The gospel (John 12:20-33) tells how Jesus replied to the Greeks, Galileans as well as Philip and Andrew that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He goes ahead to emphasize in veiled language that unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest noting that anyone who loves his life loses it but he who hates his life in this world keeps it for the eternal life. Jesus was talking about His impending death and glorification.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Ponder the Law of God: We are challenged to always ponder the law of God which is deeply written in our hearts by fulfilling the demands of natural law, the Ten Commandments of God and the 6 laws of the Catholic Church.
2. Embrace Obedience of Faith: In a world where preaching about Christianity-of-the-Cross is unpopular, we are charged to connect our trials, temptations and tribulations with the obedience of faith demonstrated by Christ who “learned to obey through suffering.”
3. Be Imitators of Christ: As imitators of Christ, we are called upon to emulate Jesus in imbibing the virtues of “prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who has the power to save us out of danger and death” by following Jesus’ humble submission.
4. Lift Others: By lifting all people to Himself, Jesus teaches us to lift others especially the unloved, the lonely, the aged and all vulnerable people by restoring their dignity and giving them a chance to live their lives to the full.
5. Direct Others to Christ: Pastors of souls must try to direct others to find a nexus between being lifted by Christ and lifting others towards glorification in Christ Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Summary Lines
1. In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah says the Lord will make a covenant with the House of Israel.
2. The second reading states that Christ “learned to obey through suffering.”
3. The Epistle sums up the virtues of “prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death.”
4. The gospel tells how Jesus replied to the Greeks, Galileans as well as Philip and Andrew that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
5. He emphasises in veiled language that unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain.
Conclusion
As we approach Palm Sunday, we are urged to deeply reflect on the events that will unfold in the coming weeks – the events reveal the depth of love Christ showed us through his life and ministry. In a country where life is increasingly becoming difficult for the citizenry, we urge those who have been lifted in terms of material wealth to help in lifting the poor by putting food on their table. Of what importance is our fasting if it will not put smiles on the faces of fellow parishioners who are abjectly poor or facing serious challenges? May God grant us the grace to say like Jesus: “When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself”. Have a Blessed Week!
