John 12:20-33 – The Hour Has ComeĀ 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus proclaims for the first time in John, that ‘the hour has come’. Jesus will be lifted up from the earth and will draw all to himself. The hour of Jesus is intimately associated with his death. The death of Jesus on the cross is the place where he is ‘lifted up’, both physically by being raised off the ground on a stake, and spiritually, lifted up in exaltation, showing us how much God loves us. We can gaze upon Jesus lifted up, loving god and showing God’s love for us.

But the cross is also a model for Jesus’ disciples. As Jesus’ death bore much fruit, we are invited to join him in a similar self-sacrificing love. The famous words about the need for a seed to fall into the ground and die so that it might bear fruit applies to both the fruitful life and death of Jesus and to the potential for the lives of those who follow him.

Our Eucharistic celebration proves that Jesus’ ‘lifting up’ in death has gathered the nations scattered across the world. As we continue to proclaim his word and share his broken body and spilt blood in memory of him, his promise rings true. But our desire to ‘bear much fruit’ can only become a reality if, in our own way, we follow the way of Jesus. Wherever Jesus is, there his servant will also be.

Christians often make the mistake that it is only Jesus who, like a grain of wheat, falls into the ground and dies so that he might bear fruit. It is as much a challenge for us to respond to the way of Jesus as readily as Jesus responded to the will of his Father. In this way will we play our part in gathering the children of God, who are still scattered.

(Adapted from This is the Gospel of the Lord – Year B, by Francis J. Moloney, p96-7).

.Blessings, Reverend Lyndon

Prayer of the Day

O God out Redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope: renew us by your Holy spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.