Fifth Sunday of Lent

Introduction

A co-worker of mine who was not a Christian asked me a question about the cross. His question was why we worship the cross, a Roman torture device that killed our God. He was perplexed by the prominent place cross hold in most of the churches and many Christians wear the cross as well. No other religion seems to do anything similar.

Background of the reading

Today's Gospel reading starts with Greeks wanting to see Jesus. What made them look for Jesus? The previous verses provide us with the backdrop of the events we read today. Jesus had raised Lazarus and was welcomed by a large crowd upon entering Jerusalem. The rise in popularity worried the Pharisees. Confirming their worries, we see Greeks, probably pagan Greeks, looking for Jesus. In John’s Gospel, wanting to see Jesus has a deeper meaning. This indicated that pagan Greeks believed in Jesus.

One would think that all this popularity and attention would be good and may even think of these things as glorious. But Jesus did not seem to be impressed by any of this. He was not planning to ride on this popularity or to repeat some of the impressive miracles, which would have been a normal human thing to do.

Movement #3

For him, the interest of the pagans was a sign, a sign of the impending fulfillment of the purpose of his coming. He called it his glorification. It was going to happen with the “coming of his hour.” What did he mean by glorification, if not his popularity or the great miracles? He was talking about his passion and death. Using the analogy of a seed, he explained what would happen. A seed contains a potential plant or a tree, but the new plant can only come up if it is put in the ground and allows nature to open it for a new plant to grow. The single seed he talks about is himself. He has to die in his human nature so that a more excellent fruit can come. What is the more fabulous fruit for which he was willing to throw himself away? It is us or rather our salvation, our redemption, or our ticket to heaven.

Movement #4 (It may include more movements):

The Old Testament understanding of glory can be understood by the Hebrew word used for it, “Kabod,” which means weight. God's glory is his weight- the power of his presence- or his goodness being expressed. When we look at the cross, do we see the sign of the unfortunate and violent death of an innocent man? Or the unjust treatment extended to a prophet? More than anything, we see a Father- God the Father- allowing his Son to die for the sins of humanity. We see a son fulfill his Fathers’ desire to set humanity free. God’s goodness and His glory have been demonstrated in human language. Language of love.

Movement #5 (Conclusion/mission):

I told my colleague, who asked about the Cross, that we do not worship it, but it reminds us of the extent to which God would go to save us. In doing so, the meaning of the cross has changed. It is no longer an instrument of torture but an expression of love.

Brothers and Sisters, he died for our sins and allowed himself to be condemned so that we don’t have to be. How do we respond to such a great love? First, we repent of our sins and acknowledge them before God. This coming Friday, we have a way of the cross and confessions throughout the week after morning mass. Let us step into the glory revealed on the cross by our loving response.