5th Sunday in Lent (March 17, 2024)

Jer 31.31-34; Heb 5.7-9; Jn 12.20-33

• Jesus confides to His followers: “Now my soul is troubled.” And He tells them what human weakness may suggest: “And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour!” But our Lord shows them what the strength of His obedience is: “No, this is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

• We see here that in order to carry out the salvific plan of God, Jesus was ready to obey, even if it was difficult for Him. He did not obey out of weakness, apathy, or lack of character. He obeyed precisely because He was strong and self-possessed.

• Obedience does not mean mere conformity to a stronger external force. Rather, obedience entails the exercise of one’s own freedom because the obedient person must will (not just do or follow) what the superior wishes.

• So in order to obey, one must have self-mastery, one must have self-control. The fruit of Jesus’ obedience was the work of Redemption which we now enjoy. What fruits could each one of us yield if we strive harder to be more obedient?

Pro-Life Intercession

That our government leaders may be blessed with the strength and wisdom they need to pass legislation that protects the unborn child, we pray to the Lord …