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.”
JN 12:20-33
Fifth Sunday of Lent
The hour of Our Lord is coming. Our readings this Sunday are filled with anticipation. The days are coming, Jeremiah prophesies in today’s First Reading. The hour has come, Jesus says in the Gospel. The new covenant that God promised to Jeremiah is made in the “hour” of Jesus—in His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension to the Father’s right hand. Let us continue following Our Lord on the way of the Cross towards the greatest Feast of the Year, the joy of Easter.
This week was Carnival week at our school. They had a “chess tournament vs. Fr. Jon”, where anyone could challenge me to a game. On Tuesday, we played online for about an hour, using one of the teacher’s accounts. We had a great time, and I showed no mercy. I won all the games! Should I have let them win? Then on Thursday, I visited the school again and managed to participate in a friendly game of dodgeball. “It is all fun and games until Fr. Jon loses!” Yep, we lost the match. However, I did have lunch there so I was very happy.
Finally, on Friday, March 19th, we consecrated ourselves, our families, and all our parishes to St. Joseph! Here is the link to the video of the Gospel + Homily. As our Gospel this Sunday reminds us, “we would like to see Jesus”, and St. Joseph intercedes for us to make this happen. Go to St. Joseph, and He will help us know God in Our Lord Jesus Christ, and to love Mary, Holy Mother of God.
There is a need today to know his spiritual fatherhood. As I shared in Friday’s homily, “fidelity to the Lord is what gives meaning to our lives, no matter what our age or personal circumstances. We know that our earthly happiness depends upon our faith. St. Joseph had his share of difficulties, but he always relied upon the help of God. He refused to deviate from his vocation.”
Let us continue following God in Our Lord Jesus Christ, by our consecration to St. Joseph! We ask St. Joseph to give us a share and to help us grow in the virtues he modelled for us. We ask this for ourselves, and for others who will see us and so find a road, a path to Jesus.
Have a great week. Peace.
ps. another friendly chess game (and vocation update) with Deacon Steven.
