Preserving ourselves for eternal life - Fifth Sunday of Lent (B)

Fifth Sunday of Lent (B)

Jer 31:31-34
Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
Heb 5:7-9
Jn 12:20-33

As we draw closer to the end of Lent, we are reminded ever more forcefully in the Sunday readings, that Jesus is preparing himself, as well as his disciples for his eventual death. In John's Gospel, Jesus tells his friends that "...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." (Jn 12:24)

Jesus is telling us that rather than loving his life, he is prepared to lose it for our sakes; and that he will be glorified by his Father even at that moment. That in order to serve Jesus, we must follow him because "...where I am, there also will my servant be." (Jn 12:26) This is a beautiful promise to us... and gives us hope that we can attain eternal life and live forever with him.

The writer to the Hebrews states that through his suffering, Jesus learned obedience and when Jesus was made perfect, "he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." (Heb 5:9) Again, we are given this wonderful promise - the new covenant that God said he would make with his people.

"I will be their God, and they shall be my people" is what the Lord said to Jeremiah... "I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more." (Jer 31:34)

So as these days of Lent draw to a close, we ask again as we are reminded of our Lenten theme, that God create a clean heart in us and to place a new spirit within us. Now is the acceptable time, indeed!


~ Image from Living Walk