Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year B
Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33
The first reading introduces us to the theme of covenant. In the Old Testament, God established a covenant with Noah representing all of humanity (Gen 9:9-11), with Abraham, the father of all believers (Rom. 4:16) and through Moses with the people of Israel (Ex 24: 8). Unfortunately, while God was always faithful to those covenants, people were not. Jeremiah today recalls the covenant made at Sinai. When Moses had read the Book of the Covenant to the people, the nation pledged to keep its commandments: “All that the Lord has said, we will do and obey” (Exod. 24: 7). Yet, instead of keeping it, they broke it (Jer 31:32).
“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jer 31:31). These days came when the Word became flesh (John 1:14). This New Covenant in Jesus Christ the nations represented by the Greeks would like to join as well: “we would like to see Jesus”, they said (John 12:21). Their request will be granted. The New Covenant will embrace all of humanity: “But when I am exalted above the earth, I will draw all men unto myself” (John 12:32).
The process of establishing the New Covenant is shown in today’s Gospel and the letter to the Hebrews. Our Lord is troubled for the hour has come (John 2: 4; 12:23). The decision made before the Incarnation is being confirmed again (John 12:27). Jesus, the seed thrown by the Father into the soil of the world, will die to bring forth abundant fruit (John 12:24). The letter to the Hebrews shows us the drama of that moment. Jesus, with loud cries and tears, offered prayers and supplications to the Father, “who could save him from death” (Heb 5: 7). In the Gospel of John, our Lord willing embraces “this hour” saying: “Father, glorify your name” (John 12: 27-28). In this way, He was made perfect and “became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5: 9).
The cry of the psalmist: “Create a pure heart in me, O God.” (Psalm 51:12) was the cry of Philip and Andrew, both members of the chosen people who led the Greeks to Jesus, and the cry of the Greeks as well who were without God and without hope in this world (Ephesians 2:12). This prayer for spiritual renewal was answered when Jesus said from the cross, “it is finished” (John 19:30), and blood and water came out of His pierced side (John 19:34). Today, the Church of God, which is the fruit of this Covenant, can already sing the joy of salvation and teach sinners the way of returning to God (Psalm 51: 14-15).
As we celebrate the Eucharist, the New Covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20), we also obey Christ’s command to lose our life, to follow where He is now (John 12:26):
“from celebration to celebration, as they proclaim the Paschal mystery of Jesus “until he comes,” the pilgrim People of God advances, “following the narrow way of the cross,” toward the heavenly banquet, when all the elect will be seated at the table of the kingdom“ (CCC, 1344). Amen.
Reading the Bible 