Fifth Sunday in Lent 2024
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. John 12:20-33
Our diocese is in a time of transition, and with the list of nominees posted, the anxious conversations have begun. A new era is coming, and we can hope and imagine and wonderful new time ahead. And we can worry and fret for what is to come. The disciples find themselves in a time of transition, as Jesus is telling them of what is to come in the very near future. They hear a voice from heaven which may have comforted them, or it may have scared them. We are all often swinging between our fears and desolation and God's consoling love. In the midst of strangers coming and wanting to see Jesus, he reminds them all that they must be servant, dying to self like a grain of wheat dies. I imagine it wasn't comfort in that moment, but looking back, became an icon of hope to hold onto.
A Litany for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Loving Creator, you have molded and shaped us
you love has been our starlight and our guide
we are never outside of your loving embrace
and you seek us out in every time and season.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.
Our lives are changing, our world changes around us
we struggle to learn new systems and cultures
we let fear and discomfort lead us away from you
and we let our hurt and anger fester around us.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.
Your love is our consolation and our strength
through every change of life you abide with us
when we are afraid and darkness overwhelms us
your words breathe new life into our trembling hearts.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.
Lift us up, Lord, when all comfort is gone away
surround us, when the world has left us behind.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.
Make us those who can see and respond to suffering
give us your humble heart so we might serve.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times.
For you are the beginning, the end and the in between
and in all times and places your love is with us.
Lord Christ, help us be servant in these troubled times. Amen.
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