Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B – March 18, 2018.

Readings: Jer. 31:31-34; Ps 50:3-4,12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; Gospel – John 12:20-33.

Theme: Lifting Others Up!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, as we approach the Paschal events, the Church urges to pay attention to details. Already, our liturgical readings point to the arrest and passion of the Lord. What is interesting is Jesus’ assertion “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). This shall form the fulcrum of our reflection given that we are living in times when clerics prefer to draw attention to themselves rather than to Christ. Our reflection hopes to find a nexus between being lifted up and lifting others, towards glorification in Christ Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being. We shall also draw some practical lessons and do a recap of the points that needs to be taken to heart.  

Summary of Our Readings

In the first reading (Jer. 31:31-34), the Prophet Jeremiah speaks of those days when the Lord shall make a covenant with the House of Israel. Unlike the covenant of old which was broken, the Lord promised that he would make a new covenant “Deep within them” by planting His Law and “writing it on their hearts.” The Prophet stresses that no one will further ask his neighbour about the content of the Law as the least to the greatest would be able to know. The reading suggests that based on the demands of this new covenant, God was going to forgive their iniquity by not calling to mind their sins. The striking point of the reading is the obedience of faith through keeping the commandments of God written in the hearts of the people.

The second reading (Heb. 5:7-9) from the Letter to the Hebrews connects with the theme of obedience of faith by stating that Christ “learnt to obey through suffering.” The Epistle sums up the virtues of “prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death” by stressing that Jesus “submitted so humbly that His prayer was heard. As a consequence of this heroic obedience and humility, we are told that “having been made perfect, He became for all who obey Him, the source of eternal salvation” - In order words, He lifted all people to Himself.

The message of the second reading relates with that of the gospel (John 12:20-33.) wherein Jesus says without equivocation: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself.” Perhaps it is easy to get excited at the phrase, “lifted up” – well, it is important to ask what happens before that. The gospel provides the answer – it starts by telling us how Jesus replied the Greeks, Galileans and indeed Philip and Andrew that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He goes ahead to emphasise in veiled language that unless a wheat grain falls to the grown and dies, it remains a single grain but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest noting that anyone who loves his life loses it but he who hates his life in this world keeps it for the eternal life. Certainly, Jesus was talking about His impending death and subsequent glorification.   

Take Home Lessons

1. We are challenged to always ponder the law of God which is deeply written in our hearts by making efforts to fulfill the demands of natural law, the Ten Commandments of God and the 6 laws of the Catholic Church.  

2. The Season of Lent presents us with the opportunity to reflect on the fact that God gives us ample opportunity to reform so that our sins are forgiven bearing in mind that He does not recall our iniquity or transgression.

3. In a world where preaching about Christianity-of-the-Cross is unpopular, we are charged to connect our trials, temptations and tribulations with the obedience of faith demonstrated by Christ who “learnt to obey through suffering.”

4. As imitators of Christ, we are called upon to emulate Jesus in imbibing the virtues of “prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who has the power to save us out of danger and death” by following Jesus’ humble submission.

5. By lifting all people to Himself, Jesus teaches us to lift others especially the unloved, the lonely, the aged and all vulnerable people by restoring their dignity and also giving them a chance to live their lives to the full.

6. Pastors of souls must make effort at directing others to find a nexus between being lifted up by Christ and lifting others towards glorification in Christ Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). 

7. By the same token, clerics ought to resist the temptation of directing followers to themselves by doing needful namely, directing their flock to Christ the leader of our faith.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. Unlike the covenant of old which was broken, the Lord promised that he would make a new covenant “Deep within them” by planting His Law and “writing it on their hearts.”

2. The striking point of the reading is the obedience of faith through keeping the commandments of the Lord written in the hearts of the people.

3. As a consequence of this heroic obedience and humility, we are told that “having been made perfect, He became for all who obey Him, the source of eternal salvation.”

4. Jesus was talking about His impending death and his subsequent glorification.   

Conclusion

As we approach Palm Sunday, we are urged to deeply reflect on the events that will unfold in the coming weeks – the events that reveal the depth of love Christ showed us by his life and ministry. In a country that life is increasingly becoming difficult for the citizenry, we urge those who have been lifted up in terms of material wealth to help in lifting the poor by putting food on their table. Of what importance is our fasting if it will not put smiles on the faces of fellow parishioners who are abjectly poor? May God grant us the grace to say like Jesus: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself”. Have a Blessed Week!