5TH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE
THEME: “GETTING READY FOR THE HOUR”
INTRODUCTION:
As the passion of our Jesus Christ draws near, today Jesus prophesied about the manner of his own death. He seems to have a clear picture of how and the hour he would go; he was very conscious of the reality of death and was ready for that hour. He never betrayed nor disappointed his Father before the hour. He never abandoned his mission; he embraced suffering even though he was the Son of God and the Prince of Peace. For this hour he came; he had been ready all along. Are you ready for your own hour?
THE FIRST READING (JER. 31: 31–34)
To get ready for that hour which must surely come for all mortals, the children of God must learn to abstain from breaking their covenant with God. They must learn to carry and take the law and commands of God to heart. They must not wait to be always reminded or taught how to know or serve God. They must cease from feigning ignorance of what is good and what is evil in our daily dealings, for God has imprinted in our consciences the capacity to know good from evil.
THE SECOND READING (HEB. 5: 7–9)
To get ready for the hour of our death, like Jesus we must learn obedience to the laws of God irrespective of what we are, who we are, whose son we are, or where we came from. Though Jesus was the son of God, he learnt humility and obedience to the Father. Jesus also embraced lowliness, homelessness, poverty in spirit, suffering and service for the peoples. All these kept him ready for the hour. But if we choose to be too full of ourselves, our status, our origin, our wealth and powers; if we abhor every form of suffering and service for the sake of others; then we shall continue to lack the requisite humility, obedience, perseverance and virtues needed for us to be ready for that hour.
THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 12: 20–33)
In the gospel reading, Jesus used multiple proverbs to talk about the hour of his death. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself. He who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Jesus never clung unto this earthly life as an ultimate goal. His goal was to fulfill the purpose of God when the hour comes. But many of us are so preoccupied with this present life that they forget the purpose/mission for which God created them. They cling so much to this earthly, temporal, transitory life that they work so hard for it, amass so much wealth and properties they cannot use in this lifetime; and the hour meets them unprepared.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus’ hour to go back to the Father has come. He was a bit nervous but ready for the hour of is death. He had lived a very simple, humble, poor, detached lifestyle that enabled him to prepare for the hour. He left behind the gospel message of love and salvation. He left behind the people’s testimonies of the good works and wonders he had worked for them and not for himself. He left behind a host of disciples to carry on his legacy of good works. Jesus was courageous to leave when the hour came. May we also be ready and courageous to face our own hour, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humble service and obedience to the plans and purposes of God in our life!
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Justin.