Fifth Sunday of Lent, Third Scrutiny of the Elect/ Lenten Mass Readings
Also Read: Mass Readings for 17 March 2024 Homily for 17 March 2024 – Sunday
First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Know Thy LORD in every minute!
No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. (34)
We thank the Lord God our Father for his great mercy on us. We have been disobedient towards God, quite like the Israelites from the Old Testament. Yet God has been faithful towards us and poured his Holy Spirit on us through Jesus Christ! We know God as Our Father because of Jesus Christ.
God has made the new covenant through Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. (Lk 22:14-22) Through the new covenant, we have been saved. (Heb. 9)
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15
“Wash me and I will be Clean!”
For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. (3)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. (12)
In Jesus Name, Amen!
Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 7-9
Obedience!
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (8)
Let us not grow weary in our suffering. We must remember that Christ Jesus being the Son of God suffered and was obedient even unto death. By His death and resurrection, we have been saved.
In today’s reading, we are reminded that Christ is appointed “priest, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 5:1-6) We thank the Lord God for our priests and all clergy and especially pray for them today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Gospel: John 12: 20-33
Find your “Grain!”
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (24)
What is Christ also referring to as “The grain that dies”? Could it be a submission at the very core of our being? The grain dies but is transformed into a tree with fruit. Then let us submit our whole self, our plans, our thoughts, and our desires to the one who can grow the tree of our life! Jesus came that we may have life in abundance. (Jn 10:10)
Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. (28 -30)
This great sign occurs in Bethany at the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. The people had gathered there in a large number not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus who had been raised from the dead. Mary anoints his feet with nard and Jesus proclaims that she had bought it for the day of his burial. (Jn. 12:7-8) There were some Greek visitors who had come to worship in Jerusalem, among the people at the house. They all heard the voice from heaven. Each one interpreted it differently. The voice had come for our sake and not for Jesus’ sake! Yet among the witnesses were a few who wouldn’t believe! The few remained obstinate in their unbelieving heart until they jealously had the Christ crucified.
We pray today for a heart that is submissive to God. Like the Psalmist we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.” (Ps.51:10-11)
In Jesus’ name, Amen, Amen, Amen!
