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Lent reflections - Holy Week, Tuesday
St. John's Church Ashe Street Tralee |
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Whoever serves me must follow me
Holy Week - Tuesday 12 April
"Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.’" |
Reading
John 12.20-33
Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish 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. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
Jesus Speaks about His Death
‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
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Reflection
Holy Week gets progressively darker. And threaded through its events come Jesus’ words highlighting betrayal, denial and the cost of walking in the ways of God. The logic of the kingdom jars with earthly logic. Why should death lead to life? Why should loving one’s life lead to losing it? It seems unfair. Ahead of the cross, Jesus explains the logic of the cross, foolish to bystanders.
There is no Christian path to salvation that does not go through the cross: no fullness of life, no justice, no renewal of all things. I wonder what the disciples made of it?
It is easier with the benefit of hindsight and knowledge of the resurrection. But even today, the road towards justice and mercy is often uncertain, full of fear and anxiety. Yet the call is the same: to walk the way of the cross, keeping our eyes on Jesus and his promise of eternal life.
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Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us discern the way ahead, and cling to you rather than our own strength and life, that we may see your salvation. Amen.
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Today's family challenge
Find or make a Palm Cross to display at home
Many churches give these out on Palm Sunday. Find out how they are folded. Can you make a paper cross in the same way? |
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