Gospel—John 12 : 20 – 33

The Scriptures make many references to time. John’s Gospel begins with “In the beginning…….” and goes on to write about creation, and tells us that with the coming of Jesus the world is re-created and we are re-born. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of the HOUR. At the wedding Feast of Cana we here that “My HOUR has not yet come.” A few chapters later, In Chapter 4, when he speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well and says “the HOUR is coming, and is NOW HERE…..”

This HOUR is not one that can be counted down to, or measured on a watch. It is the HOUR of redemption by the Cross and Resurrection, which is the HOUR of Glory.

When Philip and Andrew told Jesus that some Greeks where asking, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Jesus’ response to Philip and Andrew was, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Jesus speaks of his facing death and rising to eternal life as the reason he came, “But it was for this purpose that I came to this HOUR.” We are called not to become attached to the time of this world that passes like sand in an hour glass, but to enter into the God-Time that is everlasting. This HOUR that still encircles us is an HOUR for us to recall and celebrate the Incarnation, the Passion and Death, and the Resurrection.

Our joyful surrender into this HOUR begins with the same inquiry as that of the Greeks, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” When we seek Jesus we are drawn more and more into the mystery of God’s love and eternity. Our entire lives are lived with the hope of seeing the glory of God. During our journey to that moment we should become more mindful of the presence of God moving in our lives. This is not a linear journey marked by milestones; it is a journey into the very heart of God that transcends time and space. It is our moving into the eternal glory that God desires for us, a glory without beginning or end.

Where do we seek Jesus? We seek him in church where we first experience his sacramental presence. He is truly present in the Eucharist. He is there when we pray the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and the Chaplet of Mercy. He is present at our novenas, Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings. We seek him in family and friends as we struggle to look beyond faults and hurts, to see the presence of Christ. We seek him in the poor, the lonely and in the least of our brothers and sister, who at times we try to avoid, but constantly seem to pop up before us, reminding us that Christ is present in them. It is precisely these encounters with God and God’s presence in others that we are called to renew and deepen in our lives during the Season of Lent.

Lent is the HOUR for us to focus on the horror of the crucified Christ as well as the Glory of our Risen Savior that shines gloriously beyond the cross. These last two weeks are the HOUR for us to fervently seek Jesus so as to experience with sorrow and joy the glory of the Sacred Triduum that we are preparing for. However your Lent has been going thus far, whether successful or disappointing; renew the desire to see Jesus. One glimpse of Him takes away all disappointment, sadness and fear. Yes, I want to see Jesus, do you?

Father Killian Loch, O.S.B.