Fifth Sunday of Lent: Gospel B

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. 

· How strong of a desire do we have to see Jesus? What are we doing to make that desire known to Jesus?

· For Jesus, his glory would be made known through his death and resurrection. The cross, though an instrument of human cruelty, would be the throne of glory for Jesus.

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. 

· Where is this mystery of death and life happening in your spiritual life? What area of sin needs to die so that new life may come? What are we afraid to give up in order to live?

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.

· As you reflect on these words, what is the response welling up in your heart? What is your struggle?

 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." 

· By doing the will of the Father even to the death of the cross, Jesus glorified the name of the Father. How are you called to glorify God’s name?

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." 

· What are the two times have we already seen where God has glorified Jesus? His Baptism and his Transfiguration. What will be the next time the Father will glorify Jesus?

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. 

· This was another confirmation of who Jesus was and what he was doing was of God.

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. 

· Spend some time viewing the crucified Jesus. Through this sign of love he seeks to draw you closer in relationship with him. Listen to him as he speaks to you from this pulpit and altar.

· What is your response? If you are keeping a journal, write your response in it.

·    The season of Lent is drawing to an end? Are we still persevering in our commitments to turn away from sin and to return to God?