Lent 5

Lent 5
April 2, 2006

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 51
Hebrews 5: 7-9
John 12: 20-33

Dear Preachers: On first reading, today's gospel feels fragmented; a sequence of seeming-unrelated narrative. But the gospel writers are very skilled artists and on closer investigation the passage has a smooth narrative flow and, as we have come to expect of the gospels, it speaks to our daily lives.
Today's selection is from a turning point in John's gospel. In the preceding gospel narrative, John has focused on Jesus' public ministry---his words and healings. In chapter 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead which, John tells us, caused many to believe in him-- but this sign also intensified the opposition against Jesus. Just prior to today's passage Mary has anointed Jesus (12: 1-8) and he has made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (12: 1-19). That episode ended with the Pharisees complaining, "the whole world has gone with him." Things are at a fever pitch in the city and, judging from the enthusiastic reception Jesus received from the crowds, both religious and secular authorities must have been concerned. After all, as he rode on the young donkey into Jerusalem, the people were proclaiming him "king of Israel."

All through this gospel, until this point, Jesus has been protesting that his "hour" has not yet come. Remember his response to his mother at Cana (2:4)? But now things are rapidly changing and a sign of the change is found in today's opening verse, "Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee and requested, 'Sir, we should like to see Jesus.'" These Greeks may have been interested in the Jewish faith; perhaps they had already begun the initial steps towards converting to Judaism. In John's gospel they are symbolic for the world's coming to Jesus. Their request signals to Jesus that now those outside his immediate Jewish milieu are seeking him. If this is true, he is going to have to show them who he is. He is not going to be the triumphant ruler or military leader the people are expecting. So, he responds, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified."

This "glory" will be shown to those seeking him and it will come to Jesus, not through worldly triumph, but through his death and resurrection. He will "win" the world by his seeming losing it. He is the grain of wheat that is fruitful only through his death. If the grain doesn't die, it remains, "just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Those Greeks and all of us who seek out Jesus and want to follow his way, will have to "lose" our lives, as he did. Jesus could have taken the glory the crowds and even his disciples, wanted to heap on him. He could have taken the path of earthly rule and acclamation. Instead, he continues to redirect the glory to God, "Father, glorify your name."

There is no agony in Gethsemani in John's gospel, no long wrestling match between his fears and God's will. Nevertheless, though it is more subtle, at this moment in John's gospel we do sense Jesus' human response to his approaching death. "I am troubled now. Yet what should I say, 'Father save me from this hour?'" Jesus is at a moment when he is facing bitter opposition from powerful people and, at the same time, belief by those who have accepted him and his way. He sees the end coming; but rather than run away from it, he decides to go through "the hour" so that he can glorify God. In the Synoptic gospels the "voice from heaven" speaks at Jesus' baptism. But in John's gospel this is the first time the voice is heard. The moment has great drama as the voice supports Jesus' determination to accept and go through his hour.

In a scripture group I was in, a woman shared her father's recent death with us. She used the gentle expression we frequently do for death, "When my father passed away...." Others speak of a loved one and say, "I lost my sister three months ago...." It is hard to face the harsh realities of death. It is even hard to use the stark word "death," so we soften the expression with euphemisms. Dying is a reality a lot of us would rather not face at this time; not even talk about it. But, even with his reluctance to face pain and his own dying, Jesus exhibits courage as he expresses trust in God and surrenders himself into God's hands. He is willing to stay the course, even though there are signs that indicate that if he continues, he will be killed. Being faithful to God will require his life. He expresses willingness to face the "hour" that is coming upon him and, in doing so, he gives us the will to accept death and also face the many endings we do throughout our lives.

There are many forms of death we experience before we die. Any parent (or grandparent) knows from first-hand experience of the grain of wheat's dying to produce much fruit. Raising a family and being there for them as they mature, is an exercise in love that requires daily dyings. In their willingness to die to themselves parents have the hope that the time and energy, the life, they pour out for their children will be fruitful in the lives of their offspring. They hope their children will lead good and productive lives and will be nourished by the faith that enabled them to accept dying so as to produce much fruit in their children's lives.

In later years the roles are often reversed. Now grown children are asked to be the "grain of wheat [that] falls to the ground and dies." Aging or ailing parents require time, care and energy from their adult children--who often are also caring for their own children. Schedules are changed and plans altered when an elderly parent requires an emergency trip to the doctor or has an urgent need at home. It seems that in the privacy of our family life and in the public arena of school, work and community, there are countless moments when the disciples of Jesus are invited again and again to lose their own lives and trust in the promise of "eternal life."

Jesus does not soft-pedal what he expects will happen to him and to all whom he draws to himself when he is "lifted up" on the cross. The scriptures and prayers today make it clear that we are drawing close to Holy Week and Jesus' suffering and death. But his "lifting up" also refers to his resurrection, he and we will be raised to new life. Jesus is on the road ahead of us, showing us the way to life and inviting us to follow him. Life awaits us if we are willing, as he was, to pass through the suffering and death that following him requires.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE

[In these times of war and international conflict we draw upon the inspiration of different religious traditions to provide prayers for peace for us.]

Jewish Prayer for Peace
Come let us go to the mountain of the Lord,
that we may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat our swords into plowshares,
and our spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
And none shall be afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

-----from a booklet of peace prayers at St. Paul's Chapel/Trinity Church, New York City.
(St. Paul's chapel was a refuge and place of prayer and rest after the 9/11 attacks. It is a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center and has a peace service every day at noon for tourists and Wall Street workers on lunch break.)

QUOTABLE

"Our parishes and congregations often present a wide range of experience, income and education. You have to be able to use a vocabulary that everybody understands. This doesn't mean that you are always using monosyllables. But most people will understand if you speak the language of ordinary conversation. Apart from the technical language, just talk to them so they feel that you are really talking with them. Somebody said to me that people don't want to listen to homilies. My answer to that is that people don't want to listen to bad homilies." ----Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. in THE LIVING PULPIT, October-December, 2004, page 45.

JUSTICE NOTES

(These weekly quotes may be helpful in your preaching or may also be added to your weekly parish bulletin as a way of informing your faith community on some social issues.)

"The unspoken truth of the immigration debate is that at the same time our nation benefits economically from the presence of undocumented workers, we turn a blind eye when they are exploited by employers. They work in industries that are vital to our economy yet they have little legal protection and no opportunity to contribute fully to our nation.

While we gladly accept their taxes and sweat, we do not acknowledge or uphold their basic labor rights. At the same time, we scapegoat them for our social ills and label them as security threats and criminals to justify the passage of anti-immigrant bills.

This situation affects the dignity of millions of our fellow human beings and makes immigration ultimately a moral and ethical issue. That is why the church is compelled to take a stand against harmful legislation and to work toward positive change." - Cardinal Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, "Called by God to Help," in The New York Times, March 22, 2006

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"It is time to abandon the death penalty -- not just because of what it does to those who are executed, but because of how it diminishes all of us... We ask all Catholics--pastors, catechists, educators and parishioners -- to join us in rethinking this difficult issue and committing ourselves to pursuing justice without vengeance. With our Holy Father, we seek to build a society so committed to human life that it will not sanction the killing of any human person.------(Nov. 2000 "Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice," U.S. Catholic Bishops)
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates' names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If you like, tell them you heard about them through North Carolina's, "People of Faith Against the Death Penalty." Thanks, Jude Siciliano, OP
Please write to:........................................
Rowland Hedgepath #0176701 (On death row since 7/3/97 )
Jamey Cheek #9538027 (7/3/97)
Leroy Mann #0255136 (7/15/97)
---Central Prison 1300 Western Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27606

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CD Available: "FIRST IMPRESSIONS: PREACHING REFLECTIONS ON LITURGICAL YEAR B" This compilation, from past "First Impressions," includes two reflections on almost all Sundays and major feasts for this liturgical year. For more information and to purchase go to: http://judeop.ispraleigh.com/

ABOUT DONATIONS: If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Jude Siciliano, O.P., Make checks to "Dominican Friars of Raleigh." Mail contributions to: Jude Siciliano, O.P., Dominican Friars of Raleigh, P.O. Box 12927, Raleigh, N.C. 27605

REGULAR INFORMATION

I get notes from people responding to these reflections. Sometimes they tell how they use "First Impressions" in their ministry and for personal use. Others respond to the reflections, make suggestions and additions. I think our readers would benefit from these additional thoughts. If you drop me a BRIEF note, I will be happy to add your thoughts and reflections to my own. (Judeop@Juno.com)

Our webpage addresses:
(Where you will find "Preachers' Exchange," which includes these reflections and Homilias Dominicales, as well as articles, book reviews and quotes pertinent to preaching.)
http://www.opsouth.org Under "Preachers' Exchange"
http://www.op.org/exchange/

"Homilias Dominicales"-- these Spanish reflections are written by four friars of the Southern Dominican Province experienced in Hispanic Ministry, Isidore Vicente, Carmen Mele, Brian Pierce and Juan Martin Torres. Like "First Impressions", "Homilias Dominicales" are a preacher's early reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings and liturgy. So, if you or a friend would like to receive "Homilias Dominicales" drop a note to John Boll, O.P. at: jboll@opsouth.org
"First Impressions" is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Southern Dominican Province, U.S.A. If you would like "First Impressions" sent weekly to a friend, send a note to John Boll at the above Email address.
If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to:
Jude Siciliano, OP, Promoter of Preaching
Southern Dominican Province, USA
P.O. Box 12927,
Raleigh, N.C. 27605
(919) 833-1893
Make checks to: Dominican Friars of Raleigh.
Thank you.