John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, 
and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus."
Philip went and told Andrew; 
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Click here to read the rest of today's Gospel

Courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

By Father Greg Friedman, OFM

Archaeologists have unearthed thousands of stone tablets—surviving evidence of the life in the ancient Near East. This stone record gives us a glimpse of the cultures that are the background of the Bible.

Especially helpful to Biblical studies has been the record of covenants—agreements made between merchants, traders, or rulers in biblical times. By studying these business or legal relationships, we can understand the religious concept of covenant--our Scriptural theme all through this Lent.

In today’s first reading however, the prophet Jeremiah wants us to move from covenants recorded on stone to another kind of covenant. Jeremiah is thinking of the Ten Commandments, written on stone by God and given to Moses. Now God tells the prophet that henceforth the covenant will be written in the hearts of the people. They will know their God with the intimacy of a lover. They will respond from the heart.

Lent is about renewing our Baptism. In Baptism, God has “written on our hearts” a personal, covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus refers to his own act of self-giving in the beautiful image of the grain of wheat, which dies in order to allow new life to grow. In the same passage he invites his followers to imitate him in that selfless act of love.

In these final weeks of Lent, let’s seek to respond to that covenant invitation.

Listen to the audio here.

By Father Dan Kroger, OFM

• Today’s first reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah (Jer 31:31-34) who speaks of the day when God will make a new covenant with the house of Judah, putting his law in their hearts. How do you feel that God’s law is in your heart?

• Hebrews (5:7-9) says that Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and that he became the source of salvation for all who obey him. In what ways do you think Jesus gives you the grace you need to live a good life?

• In this week's Gospel, Jesus had visitors who came to Philip saying that they wanted to see Jesus. He talks about the mystery of laying down his life so that he might be glorified. What do you think Jesus means by saying he must be “lifted up”?

By Susan Hines-Brigger

• In the Gospel, Jesus says that the Father "will honor whoever serves me." Gather your family and friends and plan a service project. If that seems too difficult, just do something to help out a family member or friend.

• Jesus talks about a grain of wheat falling to the ground. We know what happens when we plant seeds. Buy or gather some seeds and plant them in your yard or a pot.