Fifth Sunday of Lent
Year B
Lectionary: 35
17 MARCH 2024 A.D.


Reading I
Jer 31:31-34

The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers
the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they broke my covenant,
and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.
I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.


Responsorial Psalm
51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
   in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
   and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

A clean heart create for me, O God,
   and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
   and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
   and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
   and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.


Reading II
Heb 5:7-9

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh,
he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.


Verse Before the Gospel
Jn 12:26

Whoever serves me must follow me, says the Lord;
and where I am, there also will my servant be.


Gospel
Jn 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like 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.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now.  Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.


Overview of the Gospel:

~ The setting for this Sunday’s Gospel is Jerusalem on Palm Sunday during the days leading up to the
Passover feast (John 12:1). It is right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city (verses 12-19) where he
draws a raucous crowd, prompting the Pharisees to remark, somewhat prophetically, “The whole world
is going after him!” (verse 19).

~ Some “Greeks” approach Philip and tell him that they want to see Jesus. “Greek” was a termed used to
describe non-Jews—or Gentiles. These were either Gentile converts to Judaism, or “God fearers”—
Gentiles that were attracted to the monotheism and moral code of the Jews, but were put off by either
Jewish social restrictions or by having to be circumcised. Philip is a Greek name (meaning “lover of
horses”), so perhaps they approached Phillip because he spoke Greek.

~ The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be “an ensign for nations and the outcasts of Israel”
(Isaiah 11:10-12; CCC 542). The request of the Gentiles anticipates Jesus’ prophecy that “all men” will
be drawn to him (John 12:32). As Gentiles visited him at his birth (Matthew 2:1-12), now they appear at
the end of his ministry setting in motion the events leading up to his sacrifice, which will be for all men
(John 1:29; 4:42; 1 John 2:2).

~ Like a grain of wheat that falls to the ground to bring new life (verses 24-25), Jesus must endure death
to bring us to eternal life. This also holds true for his disciples—dying to self, and becoming channels
for others (John 12:25; 2 Corinthians 4:11-12; Mark 8:34-38; Philippians 3:10-14; CCC 161)
[special thanks to Vince Contreras: "Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics."]


"How few there are, Lord, who wish to follow you, and yet there is not one who does not wish to reach you…All men therefore wish to enjoy you, but not to the extent of following your example; they will reign with you but not suffer with you." ~St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Thanks!

Yessir! Always glad and happy to hear from you, Brother, tortilla-flats!



BNA