Fifth Sunday of Lent

Reflection

We don’t often think that Jesus needed to become perfect, but this is what Hebrews suggests.  And the way to perfection for Jesus was through his obedience and suffering “Son though he was he learned obedience through what he suffered.”  As we near Holy Week we become more and more aware of Jesus’ suffering, Passion and death.  The Gospel contains John’s version of the Agony in the Garden, “Father I am troubled…save me from this hour.” Jesus knows that his death is imminent, and he gives a simple image for interpreting the meaning of his death, “the grain must fall into the ground and die.”  If the seed does not die there will be no fruit, no growth, no life. Suffering, for Jesus produces eternal life.

How often do we think of suffering as unfair, as something that we should not have to experience?  But growth can occur in us through our suffering.  We can learn obedience which literally means the ability to listen, not only to ourselves but to others.  We can hear others’ pain or longings and we too can become the grain that dies and brings forth life in another.

Prayer

Jeremiah promised that God would give us a new covenant, written in the heart. It is a relationship with a God who is with us in our joys and in our suffering.  Let us trust in that God of love as Jesus did. Amen. 

Aline Paris, RSM, D.Min.

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website