Gospel: John 12:20-33
Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
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.
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Joseph Gallagher RIP (OL)
Reflection:
I had two aunts whose generosity, thoughtfulness, and sweetness were astounding. Rosalina, or Mommy Rosie, was my mother’s older sister. Albertina, or Tita Nina, was my father’s younger sister. Incidentally, both were born in November. When my siblings and I were kids, Mommy Rosie would often visit us, cook food for us, and bring us to the shops and cinema. When she went to the US, she would send us greeting cards and gifts. Like Mommy Rosie, Tita Nina showed a similar way of caring for us. She also kept in touch with us when she migrated to America. Both were also religious – they were active in the parishes. Even when they were ill, they managed to be in touch. Mommy Rosie had videos of her messages to the family while in hospital. Tita Nina, though bedridden, kept on sending messages through social media and text. Their messages were full of love, concern, and faith in God. Till their last breath, they still thought of others.
“[U]nless 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.”, Jesus said in today’s Gospel. For the world, this does not make sense. The world tells us “You need to have life to be productive.” This was proven wrong when Jesus died on the cross to “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21). Through His sacrifice on the cross, He drew everyone to Himself and reconciled us with the Father. Thus, Jesus became fruitful. Full of hope in His Resurrection, I pray that Mommy Rosie and Tita Nina would now share in that same fruitfulness. May God bless their loving souls.
- How can you be selfless in your love for others?
- How can Jesus’ death bring you closer to Him?
- How can your closeness to Jesus bring more souls closer to Him?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Help us to die to our selfishness, sinfulness, and pride so that we may allow the new life You offer to grow and bear fruit in us. Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Do something loving for someone who is sick.
(Pietro)
