Friday 16 March 2018

Fifth Sunday of Lent 18 March – Jesus will be lifted up (John 12: 20-33)


In our recent spring newsletter, the Prior Provincial, Fr Kevin Alban has suggested how we might understand the gospel for each of the five Sundays of Lent, and how we might pray them. Each Friday, we'll add these reflections to our blog so you can read them and prepare for the Gospel before Sunday:

Fifth Sunday of Lent 18 March – Jesus will be lifted up (John 12: 20-33)


This Sunday’s gospel takes up again the theme of the Cross. For John, this object is not only an instrument of torture and death, but paradoxically it is the means by which God is glorified. What is this glory? That God is revealed as the giver of new life in Jesus. That Jesus is revealed as the Beloved Son. That the group of disciples gathered around the Mother of Jesus is the new community of believers in this world. That this community is born out of the blood and water that come from Jesus’ side pierced by the lance. What is our relationship with the Cross? Just a superficial one, or can we see to the depths of God’s love?


I hope that Lent proves to be a fruitful time for you. One way of deepening our appreciation of this season might be to read the Sunday gospel during the preceding week so that when we hear it again at Mass we are really familiar with it.
Fr Kevin Alban, O.Carm



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