Mar. 18, 2018 - Fifth Sunday in Lent - "B" Cycle
May you continue to experience the ever deepening covenant relationship and life which is possible in and through Jesus.
Today we have two sets of readings. One set comes from the “B” Cycle and focuses on a new covenant relationship which GOD desires to have with us. The other set of readings is from the “A” Cycle and is read particularly in liturgies which celebrate the Third Scrutinies of the Elect - those people who will be fully received into the church through the sacraments of the initiation at the Easter Vigil. The focus is on the new, restored life that is promised to those who profess that Jesus is the Messiah Who has come that we might live.
May you continue to experience the ever deepening covenant relationship and life which is possible in and through Jesus.
Today we have two sets of readings. One set comes from the “B” Cycle and focuses on a new covenant relationship which GOD desires to have with us. The other set of readings is from the “A” Cycle and is read particularly in liturgies which celebrate the Third Scrutinies of the Elect - those people who will be fully received into the church through the sacraments of the initiation at the Easter Vigil. The focus is on the new, restored life that is promised to those who profess that Jesus is the Messiah Who has come that we might live.
Readings can be obtained from: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031818-year-b.cfm
Cyril of Jerusalem: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-cyril-of-jerusalem/
Readings: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15;
Hebrews 5: 7-9; John 12: 20-33
The readings speak of different aspects of having a covenant relationship with GOD. Jeremiah predicts that GOD will establish a new covenant relationship with the Chosen People based not on laws written on stone, but rather on one written on the hearts of those who desire a closer connection with GOD. The psalmist also speaks about a “heart” relationship with GOD which includes a freshness and closeness not had before. The Letter to the Hebrews highlights the covenant relationship Jesus has with His Abba-Father – one based on obedience even in the midst of suffering. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the specialness of His relationship with His Abba and He describes it as being “the Hour of Glory” which includes both His death and resurrection.
Jeremiah is the prophet during the time of the Exile. He sees the time of the Exile as a time of purification and renewal. The sufferings of the Chosen People during the destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile should allow them to die to their old sinful ways and find a new way of relating to GOD. It will not be based strictly on the adherence (or lack thereof) to the Mosaic law, but on a covenant relationship with GOD which is established in their hearts. The heart for the Jewish people was not primarily the seat of emotions, but rather the seat of wisdom and will power. Jeremiah forecasts a time when the people will be renewed in their hearts and thus have a new desire to serve GOD and do what GOD asks, even in the midst of their suffering. Suffering is seen not as a punishment, but as a opportunity for renewal of the covenant relationship.
Today’s psalm also speaks of a renewal of heart – a time of repentance and contrition, seeking forgiveness for straying from GOD’s ways. With a cleansed heart, a new dedication to the covenant relationship can begin. The sorrow and pains of the present will give way to a time of joy as one realizes the gift of cleansing salvation which comes from GOD. It will also be a time of renewed energy in sharing with others the benefits of being in relationship with GOD.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews describes the relationship that Jesus has with His Abba. It is a relationship of trust and obedience, even in the face of suffering and pain. Praying and obedience are seen as two aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His Abba. As Jesus experiences the trials and tribulations of not only being a human, but also of being persecuted and dying at the hands of others, He realized that He is in touch with the GOD Whom He calls Abba. It is because He is willing to suffer in accordance to the Divine Will that He brings salvation to the world.
Today’s Gospel follows the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Although the raising of Lazarus was an opportunity to give glory to GOD, Jesus realizes that His ultimate Hour of Glory is close at hand. He knows that GOD, His Abba, will transform His own death into new life not only for Himself, but also for others. Jesus is willing to die so that others might live a rich and fruitful life. He uses the analogy of a seed falling to the earth and dying so that a more abundant harvest might be produced. His death and resurrection are the Hour of Glory, the climax of His human existence and of His relationship with His Abba while He is on earth.
The readings make me focus on my relationship with GOD. I realize that what I am called to have is a heart-to-heart bond with GOD. Again, it is not so much heart-to-heart in the sense of purely an emotional experience, but a commitment of my will to remaining faithful to the covenant relationship with which GOD has graced me. Yes, at times, I may experience the joy of salvation in an exhilarating manner. The key point, however, of the relationship is not my pleasure and happiness but my obedience to doing GOD’s will and seeking to have a close connection with the GOD Whom I am privileged to call Abba. Like Jesus, I must be willing to die to self so that GOD can bring new life not only to me but also to others. Like Jesus, my focus should not be on my will and my wants, but on serving those whom GOD is allowing me and calling me to serve. Like Jesus, I must spend time in prayer and in keeping my eyes focused on the GOD Who is Abba, not only to Jesus, but to me and to those whom Jesus shares that loving relationship.
I am bolstered in my faith relationship by the readings today. I realized that Jesus needed the prayer/covenant relationship with GOD to see Him through the Hour of Glory as He reflects on what He will suffer, as He is nailed to the cross, dies, and rises. Without Jesus’ turning to His Abba, “with loud cries and tears,” He would not have been able to bring about our salvation. In today’s readings, Jesus exhibits confidence that GOD hears Him and is with Him even in the midst of His agony.
I, too, can confidently turn to GOD in the midst of my rough times, knowing that GOD is and will continue to be with me. Like Jesus, I too can learn obedience from what I suffer. Suffering and challenges can help me focus on my covenant relationship with GOD. There can be meaning in the midst of my sorrows and tribulations. I can show my obedience and desire to be in relationship with the Lord Jesus even in my most difficult times. I also realize that I have been given a share in the Hour of Glory and will eventually be able to be with Risen Lord Jesus and His Abba if I continue to respond faithfully to all with which GOD has gifted and with what GOD asks of me. It is a decision of my heart, my will, my intellect, my whole being. With faith I can pray with the psalmist, “Give me back the joy of Your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.”
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, loving Abba-Father. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to call us into a closer covenant relationship with You in and through Your Son, Jesus. Jesus not only revealed Who You are, but gave us an example of what it means to have a humble, obedient heart, one which seeks to do Your will, even if that includes suffering and dying so that others might come into a closer relationship with You. We have not always had a cleansed heart, but rather have had a heart hardened by refusal to do Your will. We have sought our selfish desires instead of seeking to do what You wanted us to do. For this we ask that You create a clean heart for us and renew within us Your Spirit. Help us to follow the Way Your Son has shown us, since He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May we be willing to join Jesus in the Hour of Glory, even if that means walking the way of the cross, so that we can experience the new life that comes in and through Jesus, the Risen Lord. We lift up this prayer in union with Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, our Savior and Redeemer, Who suffered, died, rose and is now living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: He Covers Me by Steve Camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFHfoEadyz0
Video of the Day: Cyril of Jerusalem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S3zJFoM5wo
© rjk, 01-07-18
To Download the .pdf version of this reflection click on the link below:
Cyril of Jerusalem: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-cyril-of-jerusalem/
Readings: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15;
Hebrews 5: 7-9; John 12: 20-33
The readings speak of different aspects of having a covenant relationship with GOD. Jeremiah predicts that GOD will establish a new covenant relationship with the Chosen People based not on laws written on stone, but rather on one written on the hearts of those who desire a closer connection with GOD. The psalmist also speaks about a “heart” relationship with GOD which includes a freshness and closeness not had before. The Letter to the Hebrews highlights the covenant relationship Jesus has with His Abba-Father – one based on obedience even in the midst of suffering. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the specialness of His relationship with His Abba and He describes it as being “the Hour of Glory” which includes both His death and resurrection.
Jeremiah is the prophet during the time of the Exile. He sees the time of the Exile as a time of purification and renewal. The sufferings of the Chosen People during the destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile should allow them to die to their old sinful ways and find a new way of relating to GOD. It will not be based strictly on the adherence (or lack thereof) to the Mosaic law, but on a covenant relationship with GOD which is established in their hearts. The heart for the Jewish people was not primarily the seat of emotions, but rather the seat of wisdom and will power. Jeremiah forecasts a time when the people will be renewed in their hearts and thus have a new desire to serve GOD and do what GOD asks, even in the midst of their suffering. Suffering is seen not as a punishment, but as a opportunity for renewal of the covenant relationship.
Today’s psalm also speaks of a renewal of heart – a time of repentance and contrition, seeking forgiveness for straying from GOD’s ways. With a cleansed heart, a new dedication to the covenant relationship can begin. The sorrow and pains of the present will give way to a time of joy as one realizes the gift of cleansing salvation which comes from GOD. It will also be a time of renewed energy in sharing with others the benefits of being in relationship with GOD.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews describes the relationship that Jesus has with His Abba. It is a relationship of trust and obedience, even in the face of suffering and pain. Praying and obedience are seen as two aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His Abba. As Jesus experiences the trials and tribulations of not only being a human, but also of being persecuted and dying at the hands of others, He realized that He is in touch with the GOD Whom He calls Abba. It is because He is willing to suffer in accordance to the Divine Will that He brings salvation to the world.
Today’s Gospel follows the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Although the raising of Lazarus was an opportunity to give glory to GOD, Jesus realizes that His ultimate Hour of Glory is close at hand. He knows that GOD, His Abba, will transform His own death into new life not only for Himself, but also for others. Jesus is willing to die so that others might live a rich and fruitful life. He uses the analogy of a seed falling to the earth and dying so that a more abundant harvest might be produced. His death and resurrection are the Hour of Glory, the climax of His human existence and of His relationship with His Abba while He is on earth.
The readings make me focus on my relationship with GOD. I realize that what I am called to have is a heart-to-heart bond with GOD. Again, it is not so much heart-to-heart in the sense of purely an emotional experience, but a commitment of my will to remaining faithful to the covenant relationship with which GOD has graced me. Yes, at times, I may experience the joy of salvation in an exhilarating manner. The key point, however, of the relationship is not my pleasure and happiness but my obedience to doing GOD’s will and seeking to have a close connection with the GOD Whom I am privileged to call Abba. Like Jesus, I must be willing to die to self so that GOD can bring new life not only to me but also to others. Like Jesus, my focus should not be on my will and my wants, but on serving those whom GOD is allowing me and calling me to serve. Like Jesus, I must spend time in prayer and in keeping my eyes focused on the GOD Who is Abba, not only to Jesus, but to me and to those whom Jesus shares that loving relationship.
I am bolstered in my faith relationship by the readings today. I realized that Jesus needed the prayer/covenant relationship with GOD to see Him through the Hour of Glory as He reflects on what He will suffer, as He is nailed to the cross, dies, and rises. Without Jesus’ turning to His Abba, “with loud cries and tears,” He would not have been able to bring about our salvation. In today’s readings, Jesus exhibits confidence that GOD hears Him and is with Him even in the midst of His agony.
I, too, can confidently turn to GOD in the midst of my rough times, knowing that GOD is and will continue to be with me. Like Jesus, I too can learn obedience from what I suffer. Suffering and challenges can help me focus on my covenant relationship with GOD. There can be meaning in the midst of my sorrows and tribulations. I can show my obedience and desire to be in relationship with the Lord Jesus even in my most difficult times. I also realize that I have been given a share in the Hour of Glory and will eventually be able to be with Risen Lord Jesus and His Abba if I continue to respond faithfully to all with which GOD has gifted and with what GOD asks of me. It is a decision of my heart, my will, my intellect, my whole being. With faith I can pray with the psalmist, “Give me back the joy of Your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.”
- The personal question/action for today: When I think of giving my heart to the Lord Jesus, do I realize that it implies more than just my emotions, for it includes giving of my desires and will power to doing GOD’s will? In what ways do I still need to be more willing to give myself to doing the will of GOD? Have I experienced a deeper relationship with GOD during times of suffering and dying to myself? What place has prayer been in my hour of giving glory to GOD? How can I use my dying to self as a means of enabling others to experience a closer relationship with GOD Who is Abba? During this Lent, have a grown in my “knowledge” (personal relationship) of the covenant relationship which GOD has been offering to me in and through the life, ministry, teaching, death and resurrection, all in the unity of the Holy Spirit?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, loving Abba-Father. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to call us into a closer covenant relationship with You in and through Your Son, Jesus. Jesus not only revealed Who You are, but gave us an example of what it means to have a humble, obedient heart, one which seeks to do Your will, even if that includes suffering and dying so that others might come into a closer relationship with You. We have not always had a cleansed heart, but rather have had a heart hardened by refusal to do Your will. We have sought our selfish desires instead of seeking to do what You wanted us to do. For this we ask that You create a clean heart for us and renew within us Your Spirit. Help us to follow the Way Your Son has shown us, since He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May we be willing to join Jesus in the Hour of Glory, even if that means walking the way of the cross, so that we can experience the new life that comes in and through Jesus, the Risen Lord. We lift up this prayer in union with Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, our Savior and Redeemer, Who suffered, died, rose and is now living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: He Covers Me by Steve Camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFHfoEadyz0
Video of the Day: Cyril of Jerusalem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S3zJFoM5wo
© rjk, 01-07-18
To Download the .pdf version of this reflection click on the link below:
mar._18_2018_-_lent_-_5_-_s_-_b.pdf | |
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