"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 36

March 30th

Tuesday of Holy Week

     “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. 

      John 12:20-24

     Jesus’ death is immanent now, just days away.  With every step he takes, he is moving nearer to the cross, closer to unimaginable suffering.  He will soon give himself over willingly to the vile acts of human cruelty.

      And his death will be efficacious for the salvation of the world.  “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b), is making his way toward taking away those sins.

       His teaching, his life, his healing, his witness, have all significantly impacted the lives of those he has encountered throughout Galilee and the surrounding regions.  But with his death, the reach of his life will know no bounds.  The single wheat-grain of his life, upon his death, will bear the abundant fruit of salvation throughout the farthest reaches of the world!

Prayer

    Jesus the Christ, thank you for your death that brings forth life.  Through your unjust 

    suffering, you stand in solidarity with all who suffer unjustly.  In your death on the cross, you 

    have broken the hold of sin and death on us.  In your resurrection, you raise us to new life 

    through faith.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear, as we marvel at the mystery of your

    fruitful, life-giving death.  Help us to live our lives worthy of your liberating death.  In your

    name we pray.  Amen.