Fifth Sunday of Lent (Jn 12:20-33) “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
Fifth Sunday of Lent (Jn 12:20-33) “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
Children’s Homily:
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies it doesn’t produce fruit but if it dies it produces much fruit.” What does this mean?
In the spring we see the world coming to life all around us. What type of plants do we see coming to life? We have daffodils. We have crocuses. We have tulips. The various trees and bushes are turning green. Why do they go to sleep for the winter? Probably because it is cold, it is dark. Plants need warmth. Plants need light. Plants need food, water and light to grow. The type of plants we have coming to life are known as perennials. Such plants grow every year. And they come back to life by themselves.
But there is another type of plant that is an annual plant. Such a plant comes from a seed that we place in the ground each spring. Such plants can be found in our gardens. What are some plants that we plant in gardens? What plants do farmers plant in their fields? Corn? Beans? Wheat? Oats? The plants I just mentioned don’t grow automatically but they grow only if a seed is planted. The seed must change. With a seed there is an outer shell. Inside there is a plant waiting to emerge. If the seed isn’t planted there will be no new plants. Someone must plant the seed at the right time so there will be food, water and light.
Jesus uses the annual plants as an example of how we are to live our human life. We are seeds that are planted in the world. We are planted in our families. We are planted in our church. We are planted in our schools. If we are going to grow, we need to be willing to change. Jesus says this describes learning to die to ourselves. We must learn to love our neighbor. What is the definition of love? Love is “putting the other person’s needs ahead of our own”. If everyone is only concerned about their own life, if we are selfish rather than selfless nothing much good is going to happen in the world.
We could use the image of a candle. Everyone is given a candle at our baptism as a symbol of our life with Jesus. A candle isn’t very good if it isn’t lit. But if it is lit it produces light and heat. The light makes it easier to see. The heat can warm the air, so it is more comfortable on a cold day.
But there is a problem with the candle. As it burns it grows shorter. The candle gradually disappears. After all the wax has melted. After all the wax is burned then the candle is no more. The candle disappears. The candle no longer exists which is kind of sad. But if the candle never burns it is sadder. The candle has a purpose which is to provide light for the world. The candle makes a room a brighter, happier place.
Jesus came into the world. He did everything he could to make the world a better place. Once he gave himself away completely, he left the world to live in a new and extraordinary way forever. If we follow Jesus, we are asked to do the same thing. The question is, “Are we willing to leave selfishness behind so the world can be a better?”
Holy Week is a time when we are reminded that we will die someday but we need not be afraid. If we live like him. If we give ourselves away. We need not fear death for we will live with Jesus forever in heaven. We just need to follow Jesus every day.
Reflection:
Do I give my life away? How?
Do I feel better when I am unselfish? Do I feel sadder? Why?
Dear Parishioners,
On March 24th we begin Holy Week. This is a week where we celebrate the apex of the liturgical year. We begin with Palm Sunday. The highlight of Palm Sunday is the procession into the church and the reading of The Passion of Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Since we read this scripture, this day is often referred to as Passion Sunday. We will have outside processions at 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. Mass. We leave in silence. For some, the next time they come to Mass will be Easter Sunday. The silence reminds them to live life prayerfully during Holy Week.
Many of us will celebrate the Easter Triduum. This begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. We remember at this liturgy the beginnings of the Christian Eucharist. This liturgy is a very touching one. It ends with a procession around the church after which the consecrated hosts are placed in the altar of repose. Adoration takes place until midnight.
The next day is Good Friday. At 3 p.m. we have the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion. We read the Gospel Story in parts, have adoration of the cross and receive communion. This is a solemn celebration where we are reminded of the cost of discipleship.
We round out the Triduum with the Easter Vigil. We will have 13 parishioners of various ages who will celebrate the sacraments of initiation. We begin with the lighting of the Easter fire. This is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the Church Year. If a person takes time to attend these liturgies it is a reminder of what we believe as Christians. Usually, it becomes a spiritual practice that is carried over from year to year.
I hope to see many of you at the liturgies of Holy Week.
Mary Our Lady of Peace pray for us,
Fr. Mark