Gospels explained by Jesus - Gospel messages, gospels explanation |
|
John 12:20-30
Year B -
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies
My reputation grew very quickly and people from other countries were attracted to my teachings and the miracles that I was performing. They were pagans who would be transformed by my words and become my followers.
I asked my Heavenly Father to glorify his name, then my Father responded saying: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” Those who heard the voice thought they were hearing thunder, some thought an angel was speaking to me. My Father made His presence felt in order to give faith to the unbelievers, to attest that I was the Son of the Living God, His eternal Word that must be heard, so that everyone can be saved. The hour had come for the Son of God to be glorified, but it was hard for them to understand that I had to die to be glorified as the Savior of the world, the one who gives eternal life to those who are dead in their sins. I illustrated how, 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. In the same way I had to suffer and die for the sins of humanity, so that with my death I would destroy sin, the devil and death in order to share the power of the resurrection with everyone who follows me. I said, those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world, for my sake, will keep it for eternal life. The man who loves his life and lives for the flesh and the pleasures of this world will lose his life. The man who mortifies his senses for the sake of his soul, who denies himself and carries the cross of my will, will savor eternal life as his reward. Dear soul, if you truly love me, have no fear of death. Death is the door to eternal life and I am standing there to receive your soul and bless you for eternity. Therefore live your life with contempt for the world, purify yourself with heavenly thoughts, aspire to posses the kingdom of heaven in your heart, accept the will of God and pray constantly because your liberation is near.
Received by: Joseph
of Jesus and Mary
|
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
