Falling into the Ground

5th Sunday of Lent  18 March 2018

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 5:7-10 In the days of his flesh, Jesus 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, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Gospel: John 12:20-30 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They 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 our. 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.”

Reflection
by Pietro S. Albano

Sam and Liz have been married for a few years and were blessed with children.  Unfortunately, the marriage did not last because Liz left her husband and children for another man. At first, Sam couldn't make sense of Liz's betrayal. He tried to win her back, but to no avail. He almost lost hope and wanted to killed himself. What changed his mind was the look in the eyes of his kids. They were more helpless than he is. They were more clueless than he is. They were weaker than he is.  Considering his kids' predicament and what would be their loss if he also turned his back on them, he decided to become more caring to them. He worked double-time for them. He learned the things that Liz used to do such as cooking, laundering, etc. He became more prayerful. Eventually, his kids found in Sam a father and mother rolled into one. Sam could have chosen the easy path of getting even with Liz, but no, he chose to be like that grain of wheat falling into the ground of embarrassment of being cheated by one's wife, falling into that ground full of heartaches and discouragement, so that his children will live, so that he may become fruitful unto eternal life.

Faced with trials from various directions, are we willing to make sacrifices, to give up our own personal gain for the good of others? May this holy season be a time for us to pause and think, to see in the Crucified Christ that life can only have meaning if it is shared with others.

Prayer

Loving Father, You sent Your only Son to die for our sins so that we may live as Your children. Inspired by His sacrifice, may we share our lives generously with others especially our family and those in need. In His Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.