John 12:20-33
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 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. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Fervent desire to meet Jesus
Jesus is in Jerusalem the day after He brought Lazarus back to life. That event is known about all over the region. This week after it, we are informed about a festival in Jerusalem. The people are still stunned about the news of life and death. Who is this that is able to bring dead people back to life four days after their burial? This means that the body was already decomposing - as Marth said to Jesus "this is forth day" John 11:39.
Among those coming to the festival are some Greek people who come with their culture. They inquire about philosophy and the discovery of new gods and goddesses. Why not meet and interview Jesus directly to learn from Him?
They approach the two disciples whose names are Greek, Philip and Andrew, who are able to understand their language and mediate for a private meeting. They convey the message to Jesus, who responds to the foreigners that seek philosophy and new gods by confirming that His Philosophy is the Cross and that God is the loving One whom they can hear speaking then and there on the spot.
Within this context, we are invited to reflect on today's Gospel.
About the hour, according to St. John, three times Jesus says:
The hour hasn't come yet" John 2:4;
"Jesus told them, 'My hour is not yet here'" John 7:6; and
"He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where offerings were put. Yet no one seized Him, because his hour had not yet come" John 8:20.
It is time to fulfill God's plan of Redemption and Salvation, that should happen in Jerusalem. Jesus says, "Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" John 12:23. Jesus is praying for the Father to glorify His Name through the death of the grain of wheat, who is the Son.
At this point, a voice comes from heaven saying, "I have glorified, and I will glorify again" John 12:28. This is the third time the voice of the Father resounds to announce His full and joyful contentment with who the Son is or does.
The first time is when Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" Matthew 3:17.
The second time is at the Transfiguration, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen, listen to Him" Luke 9:35.
The third time is as Jesus spoke in V. 23 that the "hour has come."
May we take a few minutes to think about the hour Jesus speaks about, and the response He gives to the faithful and the unfaithful. His philosophy is to the Cross alone and, through the Cross alone, is the Redemption and Salvation of humanity.
This Gospel invites us to prepare for Holy Week and to follow Jesus on His way to Golgotha with St. Paul's convictions, "Christ crucified: a stumbling block for Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" 1 Corinthians 1:23. "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Galatians 6:14.
Join the Greek people asking to meet Jesus and reflect upon His teaching.
He is always ready to receive those who are looking for Him!
