Fifth Sunday of Lent
The readings for today are for Sunday of the last week during Lent. Palm Sunday and Holy Week will follow. Appropriately, today’s readings resonate with themes of transition and promise—and foreshadowing.
Jeremiah (31:31-34) proclaims change and transition, “The days are coming…when I will make a new covenant…it will not be like the (old) covenant”; as well as promise, “All…shall know me for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.” Psalm 51 expresses our acknowledging reply, “Create a clean heart in me, O God…wash me from my guilt…a steadfast spirit renew in me…give me back the joy of your salvation.” Yes, your change is coming! We are ready, include us, please. In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews (5:7-9) shifts our focus as we read of Jesus’ human anguish, “he offered prayers with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him.” And, we read of Christ as our exemplary model for obedience to the will of God. It is deeply human to weep, to plead and to concede. Jesus truly experienced those emotions so familiar to each of us.
John’s Gospel (12:20-33) brings us directly to the moment and matter at hand—Jesus is approaching Jerusalem for His final and ultimate Passover there. Coming from raising Lazarus in Bethany, He has attracted a crowd—including some who know Him well and others who are curious. John describes Jesus as focused on what was to come, “I am troubled now; yet what shall I say?” So, rather than meeting with the curious, He foreshadows Gethsemane and speaks to His inevitability. Through parable, He compares Himself to a grain of wheat that must die to grow and produce much desired sustenance. And, perhaps to reinforce and to validate what He had said, we learn the crowd became aware of a great heavenly voice, “Now is the time…when I am lifted up…I will draw everyone to myself.” Thus, the stage is set for his entry into Jerusalem, His Passion, and His gift of a new and forgiving and saving Covenant.
Bring us with You, O Lord. Embrace us despite our questioning and hesitation. Bring us with You into Your New Covenant and Your greatest gift of gifts, our salvation. Amen.
Church Hindes, ’69, Member of the Worshipping Community
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33
No comments:
Post a Comment