First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm: 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15
Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 7-9
Gospel: John 12: 20-33
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The Holy drama of Passion Week is getting closer.
Jesus is talking openly to his disciples about what is coming.
It seems that they were not ready to understand.
He knew that they would be very shaken and scandalised by what was going to happen.
He could see what was building up to happen.
His soul is troubled, he cried aloud and in silent tears. His prayer is heard!
The Father helps him to have the strength needed to endure what was to come, and to keep listening to the Father.
He is totally free from the Ego.
We need to die to the ego: unless a grain of wheat dies it cannot bear fruit!
Lent calls us to let go of unhealthy attachments so that we can be truly free.
The Father gives his clear approval to Jesus.
His Will is totally united to the Will of the Father; we are invited to trust The Father (God) like Jesus does.
The Greeks want to see Jesus.
His death is for the benefit of all peoples not only the Jews.
There is call to conversion in both the first reading and the Psalm.
‘Create a clean heart in me Oh God’.
I will never call their sins to mind.
We can tend to not forgive ourselves.
God does forgive.
Of course that does not mean that we just keep sinning, there is need for repentance on our part. There is a place for atonement for sin.
It is however important that we cooperate with God and move on, let go of the past and be born again!
I have put away your sins as far away as East is from the West!
In Jesus we can bear fruit, fruit that will last.
