1st Reading: Book of Jeremiah 31,31-34.
The days are 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 I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Psalms 51(50),3-4.12-13.14-15.
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
2nd Reading: Letter to the Hebrews 5,7-9.
In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered 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 reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12,20-33.
Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast.
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like 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.
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
Sermon Thoughts:
The days are 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 I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Psalms 51(50),3-4.12-13.14-15.
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
2nd Reading: Letter to the Hebrews 5,7-9.
In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered 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 reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12,20-33.
Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast.
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like 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.
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
Sermon Thoughts:
Today we hear the Gospel passage from St. John 12-
The passage starts with the searching greeks and the reply of Jesus for that is on his trial and inner struggles. Because of the construction this passage may appear a little strange to many. Therefore, I think it is better to go backwards to find out the context of the text.
In the last chapters of John’s Gospel, we see that the dead Lazarus is brought to life. Before that we meet Jesus in his healing action of the Blind. Before that he feeds the hungry, by breaking bread. All these wonders made Jesus’ Name popular. Sometimes popular than the Pharisees and the scribes. Normally there is the chance for jealous.
They had their reasons for that.
Jesus was accepted for many as the Jewish leaders.
The common people even broke the laws (often, law of Sabbath) to follow the words of Jesus. He got more and more followers. All these changes in the society made them somehow unhappy.
So the Jewish heads decided that “one should die for the whole people”.
This solution was just another reaction of the Jews, but it became later a “truth”,
that “Jesus died for many” and uplifted “Jesus as the savior of the mankind”.
Jesus was intelligent enough to understand the thoughts of the Jewish heads.
And he knew that his fate will come soon in some form of persecution and execution.
He felt that he is moving slowly to the end phase of his life.
Jesus speaks out this explicitly, as the Greek people ask for him.
Now his fame is not only among Israelites spread / known, but it exceeded the territorial limits.
Yes even to the “gentiles”.
Messiah is not only for the Israelites, but for the whole world. This thought is revealed here.
Jesus is happy, because his life gets its fulfillment.
His mission is getting accomplished soon.
He can be called soon the Savior of the World.
Greeks represents the “wisdom-world”- Now the “Wisdom” is in search of “Faith”, “Jesus”. Wisdom is not everything. It gets completed together with faith.
On the other hand Jesus has to prepare for his “final hours”.
He is somehow nervous to face that special hour. Jesus proves that he is a “son of Man”. His thoughts at this time reveal this character.
But he is willing to accept that cross and proves he is beyond that; he is the Son of God.
Facing death may not be an issue for many. Ultimately we all have to go through the hour of death. But the many severe and inhuman brutal persecutions and accusations cannot be so easily faced.
We see the martyrs in the Church. They could face their tribulations very good. Their specially blessed faith in God and love of God helped them to overcome these hours.
There are so many people who face their death with such great courage.
Last week we heard about Jade goody, a TV star from England.
Her life was not that much saintly. On the other hand she caused so many controversies through media, like racist comments on Shilpa Shetty, an Indian actress, during a big brother show.
But after knowing that she is severely sick and her life may not long much,
she tried to correct her faults. (repented like the good thief on the cross aside Jesus)
She asked pardon for her bad deeds.
She even accepted the catholic faith, by receiving the baptism.
She was ready to die courageously.
She may be not that saintly for many, but she leaves some thoughts for many,
who are “good Catholics”.
How brave we are to face our last minutes?
How ready we are to leave our dear and near ones?
How free we are?
Jesus, several martyrs, several common people like Jade Goody show it is not that easy for men. But still man can do it.
Lent time is the time to give up the worldly tie ups and get free.
Let us enjoy the freedom in our Faith and Love in God.
May God bless us all.
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