3/17/2024 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reading: John 12:20-33

20 Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
21 came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 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.
25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
27 “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.
28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

3/17/2024 (Sunday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 12:20-33

In the the passage above, Jesus explains the significance of His impending death and resurrection. At the heart of Jesus’ message is the metaphor of a grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die to produce many seeds. This powerful imagery speaks to the necessity of sacrifice for greater growth and renewal. Jesus is preparing His followers for the reality that His death will be the catalyst for a new covenant, an opportunity for countless individuals to find life eternal through faith in Him.

What’s striking here is the universality of Jesus’ message. He indicates that His message and His salvation are not confined to a single nation or people but are available to “anyone” who would follow Him, emphasizing inclusivity and the boundless nature of His love and grace.

Furthermore, Jesus touches on the concept of serving and following Him, suggesting that to be His disciple, one must be willing to let go of their life in this world to secure eternal life. It’s a call to prioritize spiritual values over worldly concerns, a reminder that what we see as the ultimate sacrifice is actually the path to true life.

As Jesus anticipates His death, He acknowledges the weight of the moment but remains focused on the purpose it serves — glorifying God. His willingness to embrace suffering for the sake of humanity’s redemption illustrates the depth of His love and commitment.

Let this passage inspire us to consider our own lives. Are we willing to let go of our grains of wheat, our personal ambitions and comforts, for something greater? Jesus’ message encourages us to look beyond the here and now, to serve, follow, and love with an eternal perspective. In doing so, we not only find our true purpose but also partake in the divine legacy of bringing light and life to the world.

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