Do you want to "see" Jesus (Sunday 5, Lent B)

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In Jn. 12:20-33, Jesus is already in Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover and for His passion and death. He is in His final days on earth. Some Greeks who went up to worship at the feast went to Philip one of the apostles and said to him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus”. The gospel did not specify why they wanted to see Jesus. However, before that time, Jesus had performed signs: turned water into wine; healed the royal official’s son; healed a man who was ill for 38 years; multiplied bread and fish for more than 5000 people; walked on the sea; healed a man born blind; and raised Lazarus from the dead. With these signs, particularly the last sign, Jesus’ fame and reputation must have grown and gone beyond frontiers.


It could be that those Greeks wanted to see that miracle worker, great teacher, healer and philanthropist. It could be that they wanted to see Jesus perform more signs and wonders or it could be that they wanted to listen to His teachings or to present a problem to Him. 99.9% (many) of us really want to “see” that same Jesus: yes, we have heard a whole lot about Him and we want Him to do it again as He did it in the past.


When Philip and Andrew went to Jesus and told Him that some people wanted to see Him, His response was a bit strange: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it; and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself”. I don’t know what would be your reaction if Jesus gives us this kind of response when you have come to ask Him for something else.


As we yearn to "see" Jesus, let us not always expect to see a man of "miracles", "signs and wonders". Let us also be ready to see a Saviour hanging on the cross, a man whose path to glory led through the Cross. St Paul says that "the Jews demand signs; the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach CHRIST CRUCIFIED, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, He is the POWER and WISDOM of God" (1 Cor. 1:22-24). The greatest miracle ever performed by Christ is the MIRACLE OF THE CROSS which changed the course of our history. IF YOU ENTER ANY CHURCH AND DO NOT SEE THE CRUCIFIX (the image or statue of the Crucified Jesus), PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS. Because you may be in the wrong place.


Through the cross, Jesus rose to glory and drew all people to Himself. The truth which should never be hidden from you is that the only path to glory is the path of the cross; the only way to life is through "death". A grain of seed must FALL to the ground and DIE before it germinates and produces much fruit. In order to rise to new life, we must die to sin and self. This truth is clear enough!


The new covenant spoken about by Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 31:31-34) was established by Christ on the cross. God made the first covenant with His people after He had brought them out of their slavery in Egypt: a covenant made on Mount Sinai and sealed with the blood of animals which Moses sprinkled on the people (cf. Exod. 24:8). The new covenant is made on the cross on Mount Calvary and sealed with the Blood of Christ. The terms of this new covenant have been engraved in our hearts. By this covenant, our sins are forgiven and we are now bound ever more closely to God. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us that Christ learnt obedience through suffering (through the Cross) and has now become the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (cf. Heb. 5:9). Are we ready to obey Him even as if He calls us to follow Him on the path of the cross, on a path full of difficulties and pains?


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, as we contemplate on Your passion and death, may we be filled with Your power and wisdom, Amen!


Have a fruitful Lenten journey!



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