DAILY- HOMILY

March 18, 2018 – 5TH Sunday of Lent

Cycle B. Violet.

Jer 31: 31 - 34 / Heb 5: 7- 9 / Jn 12: 20- 33

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Jer 31: 31 - 33

"The time is coming - it is Yahweh who speaks - when I will forge a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It will not be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. For they broke my covenant, although I was their God.

"This is the covenant I shall make with Israel after that time: I will put my Law within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God and they will be my people."

2ND READING: Heb 5: 7- 9

Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death and he was heard because of his humble submission. Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Jn 12: 20- 27

There were some Greeks who had come up to Jerusalem to worship during the feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went to Andrew and the two of them told Jesus.

Then Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,. Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

"Those who love their life destroy it and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life. Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

"Now my soul is in distress. Shall I say: 'Father, save me from this hour?' But I have come to this hour to face all this. Father, glorify your Name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it again."

REFLECTION

In the first reading Jeremiah speaks of Yahweh's covenant with Israel, "I will put my Law within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God and they will be my people."

In the second reading we are reminded of Christ's saving work as our savior: "Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him."

In the Gospel reading some Greeks wished to see Jesus. Philip and Andrew bring them to listen and to hear Jesus.

Like those Greeks we too wish to see Jesus. We are no longer able to see and listen to him with our bodily eyes and ears. Unable to see Jesus himself, we still are able to see the effects of Jesus' presence in the lives of people who love and follow him.

We read about the canonized saints and blessed whose lives radiated God's presence and compassionate love in extraordinary ways. We remember saints such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Teresa of Calcutta, martyrs such as Sts. Lawrence the Deacon, Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila and Pedro Calungsod.

We have read about many saintly people, who have been models of simplicity, poverty, compassion and service to others.. We have known people whose suffering rivaled those of the patient man Job who remained steadfast in their trust in God.

We too are called to witness to our faith and trust in Jesus, in what he taught and in how he lived. We too are called to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world," in our witness to Christ and the Good News. (Mt 5: 13 - 14) We can witness by lives of prayer, by works of charity and service to others. We pray that, with God's grace, people may somehow see Jesus in us.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Christine J. Cuyegkeng

     Roderica Posadas

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Gregorio & Suzanne Kaw

     Rosalind & Erwin Ty Tan

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

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