John 12: 20-33 – Lent Week 5, Sunday (Year B) (Audio Bible, Spoken Word)
20 ¶ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 ¶ And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Jesus’ Passion is near. It is almost time for Jesus to permit himself to be crucified. It is true to this that the Greeks, non-Jews, have come to seek Jesus and to hear his word. Jesus’ mission, to come to earth to save everyone, is becoming fulfilled.
It is strange that, through this passage of the Bible, we sense the darkness of the murder of our Lord gathering around Jesus, just as we see through this the salvation of all mankind. There is a long dark night of the soul ahead of us. Jesus recognizes this. He asks us to think of a seed, which must die and go into the ground before life can be born of it.
We are approaching the most testing time of our Lenten journey. We are asked to confess all and we are asked to renew our baptismal promises. We are asked now to give up everything.
What is asked of us, by Jesus, is an act of complete self-surrender. We are told to cling to nothing and to surrender everything. ‘He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.’
It would be easy to misunderstand this saying. What we are taught now by Jesus is never to cling to the pleasures of the flesh in this life; rather to see the reality of this life and of the life to come as they truly are, to distinguish vain and transitory pleasures in this life from the eternal glory which is intended to be ours. We are taught by Jesus to let go of things and to give ourselves up to God’s gift which is everything. We are taught to let go of all selfishness and to give ourselves up wholly to God’s mercy. This is happiness.
It is through this witness of the Gentiles that Christ, in this passage of the Bible, is further acclaimed by his and our Father. There is a voice from heaven to proclaim Jesus once more as the Son of God. The people hear it.
Jesus is not arrogant, however; he tells the people that the voice from heaven is not for him but for those ordinary people who are with him and who have followed him while he has taught them. He is modest in this moment. Always, Jesus gives his life back to us. We are asked always to look at ourselves again through Jesus’ ministry and to correct ourselves and so be better equipped to discover salvation through Jesus.
We are asked to place ourselves in a new relationship with our Father through God the Son.
The time is close. We will soon be celebrating Christ’s last entrance into Jerusalem, the institution of the Eucharist, the Last Supper, and thence the passion and the death and resurrection of God.
The darkness is gathering. But through this darkness, what great light.
We are now observing a solemn feast – which way are we to take? As we draw near to this day of celebration – whom shall we have as leader? No one, dearly beloved, except him whom you will name with me our Lord Jesus Christ, who said: ‘I am the way.’ Here it is, as Saint John says, who takes away the sins of the world. He purifies our souls – as Jeremiah the prophet says: ‘Stand on the ways and see and discern which is the right way and on it you will find cleansing for your souls.’
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
The Hour Is Come That The Son Of Man Should Be Glorified | Now Is My Soul Troubled
John 12:20-33 depicts a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. At this point in the narrative, Jesus has already performed many miracles and teachings, and has gathered a large following of disciples. However, the Pharisees and other religious leaders have become increasingly hostile towards him, and are seeking to have him arrested and executed.
In this context, a group of Greeks, who may be considered Hellenic and of Jewish faith, come to Jerusalem to worship during the Passover festival. They approach Philip, one of Jesus’ disciples, and ask to see Jesus. When Philip tells Andrew, another disciple, about the request, they both bring it to Jesus.
Jesus’ response is not to meet with the Greeks, but rather to use the request as an opportunity to teach about his impending death and resurrection. Jesus says: ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ (John 12:23-24, NIV)
This metaphor of the kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying is rich with theological significance. First, it foreshadows Jesus’ own death and resurrection. Just as the kernel of wheat must die in order to produce new life, so too must Jesus die in order to bring about the salvation of humanity. This understanding of Jesus’ death as a necessary sacrifice for the sake of others is a central theme in the Gospel of Saint John.
Second, through the metaphor we are taught to know, in advance in terms of the narrative, that Jesus’ death is not a defeat, but rather a necessary part of a plan of salvation. This is reflected in Jesus’ use of the term ‘glorified’. The Catholic theologian Karl Rahner notes that this term refers to ‘the eschatological exaltation and definitive recognition of Jesus by the Father, which was accomplished through the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection’ (Rahner, Theological Dictionary).
In other words, Jesus’ death on the Cross is not a tragic event, but rather a necessary step towards ultimate glorification and exaltation. This complete understanding in advance of the crucifixion as a glorification or lifting-up is distinctive to the Gospel of John, and sets it apart from the other three, synoptic Gospels.
Third, the metaphor of the kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying suggests that Jesus’ followers must be willing to undergo their own spiritual deaths in order to experience new life. As the Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer notes: ‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.’ (Bonhoeffer, The Cost Of Discipleship)
This means that in order to be true disciples of Jesus, Jesus’ followers must be willing to let go of their old selves and be transformed into new creations. This idea of spiritual rebirth is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, and is tied closely to the concept of eternal life.
By emphasizing the thought of glorification and spiritual rebirth, Jesus invites his followers to participate in their own transformation, and to experience the fullness of life in Jesus.
Saint Gregory’s theology is deeply shaped by the Eastern Christian doctrine of theosis, or divinisation. For Gregory, salvation is not merely juridical or moral but ontological: to be saved is to become by grace what Christ is by nature. When Gregory writes that Christians must examine their thoughts, words, and deeds to see whether they are ‘directed toward Christ’, he is describing a dynamic process of transformation. This process, which begins in baptism and continues throughout life, involves increasing conformity to the divine image. In this sense, Christian perfection is not a static achievement but an unending ascent towards God, as expressed in his Life of Moses [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
There are people now who choose to think of Jesus simply as an extraordinary man, a wise man and a performer of miracles, and not as our saviour the Son of God. There were and are those who think of Jesus as a great prophet, whose mission was to reject Jewish sectarianism, and insurrection, and unite the Jewish people, to enable them to survive the Roman occupation while being true to God, to maintain the Kingdom in their hearts despite the presence of the occupying pagan and Gentile power [ … ]
