First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Reflection:
Throughout Lent we’ve heard some of the high points of salvation history proclaimed to us in the first readings. These events from the Old Testament have focused on the covenants God made with His people, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. These covenants encapsulate the main progression of the story of Israel. Yet, they are not the end of the story. This Sunday we hear a passage that serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised a new covenant. A biblical covenant involves God pledging Himself to His people and them pledging themselves to God. The Lord, of course, will never break His end of the bargain, but the story of the Old Testament reveals the Israelites breaking their end over and over again. God promised them a new covenant that would supersede those of the Old Testament. This covenant would be more than just outward signs. It would be written on the hearts of the people. God Himself would dwell with His people and invite them into communion with Him. The new covenant offers true forgiveness of sin and, therefore, reunification of humanity’s broken relationship with God. In the new covenant, we can personally know God. This covenant, of course, was established by Jesus Christ and is that which we participate in today, as baptized followers of Jesus in the Church.
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
Reflection:
This passage speaks of the time of fulfillment prophesied about in the first reading. How was the new covenant established? First, God became man. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He walked among us and was like us in all things but sin. Second, Christ established the new covenant by His blood shed for us on the cross. Through His obedient suffering, salvation was won for us. Christ not only died to take on the sins of the world, but He rose again to overcome sin and its consequence of death. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, therefore, the forgiveness of sins promised in the first reading came to fruition. It is because Jesus died that we can be forgiven of sin, have our relationship with God restored, and have His law written on our hearts. In the new covenant, God dwells among us and offers us communion with Himself. Ultimately, the new covenant leads us to eternal salvation, which is perfect communion with God in heaven. We are part of the covenant by virtue of our baptism. Yet, baptism is simply the beginning. This passage from Hebrews says that salvation is “for all who obey [Jesus].” Thus, we must live according to God’s commandments and allow His grace to transform us into the person He wants us to be.
Gospel Reading: John 12:20-33
Reflection:
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus announces that His “hour” has come. The “hour” refers to His passion. He is about to die for our sins. We see Jesus here expressing anguish over His coming suffering. Still, He submits Himself completely to this task and willingly endures the cross for our salvation. Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about the glory of God, as was announced by the voice from heaven. Jesus’ death was the culminating moment of all of human history. In death, He conquered the devil (i.e. “the ruler of this world”) and brought salvation to the world. Just like a grain of wheat, Jesus had to die in order to bring about new life. He offered Himself on the cross in order to offer us life. The salvation Jesus offers is for all people. But it still involves a choice on our part. Jesus can save everyone but He won’t save anyone against their will. Jesus offers us all salvation from sin and, as a result, eternity with Him in heaven. But will we accept His offer? Jesus calls us in this Sunday’s Gospel to serve Him. This means we follow His way of life and live in relationship with Him. We seek to be with Jesus, so that where He is, we will also be. Jesus calls us into communion with Him, aligning our wills with His and obeying Him. Will you go where He leads you?
Application:
- Make the refrain of this Sunday’s Psalm (“Create in me a clean heart, O God”) your prayer. In what areas have you strayed off the path of following Jesus? In what ways have you disobeyed His commands? In the new covenant, we have forgiveness offered to us as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Will you accept it? You’re invited to visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation between now and Easter to experience His grace and forgiveness.
