Traditionally the fifth Sunday of Lent was referred to as
Passion Sunday. Nowadays Palm Sunday shares this designation. But still, with
today’s readings we shift our focus to the coming Passion. We do this because
the Lord shows us it is the proper time to do so.
Some Greeks wish to see Jesus and approached by Andrew and
Phillip, the answer Jesus gives seems to have little to do seeing visitors. But
look more closely at that answer. Jesus is beginning to meditate upon His
upcoming passion and death. As a prelude to His struggles in the Garden of
Gethsemane, He is grappling with what He should do. Should He ask the Father to
save Him? But it was for this hour that He came.
These are the thoughts that Andrew and Phillip interrupt. Jesus
does not reply to them but instead gives voice to His thoughts. Will He flee
and save His life only to lose it? Or will He lose His life and thereby save
it?
Jesus concludes that He must accept what is to come. It is the
only way to salvation. The one who saves His life will lose it. The one who
loses it for God’s sake will save it. That is the wisdom Jesus leaves us, and
the challenge we are faced with. Do we save our lives for ourselves only to
lose it, or do we die to self for the sake of another and have our lives
restored to us by God?
Pax Vobiscum
5th Sunday in Lent
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