The gospel for today's readings is the final section of John, chapter 12. John's Gospel is often referred to as "the book of signs". In today's reading we hear of the arrival of some Greeks (foreigners) who are interested in meeting with Jesus. They first approach Andrew and Philip, who in turn introduces them to Jesus. Jesus' response to meeting the Greeks is by declaring that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. In a way this fulfills what the Pharisees predicted in John 12:19: Look, the whole world has gone after him.”
We, like Andrew & Philip, are called to bring others to Christ. We do this by doing what Jesus calls us to do, Jesus tell us, "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me." (John 12:25-26) In this readings Jesus declares that He is ready to do the Will of the Father by giving up His life on the Cross. By using the metaphor of a seed dieing in order to produce fruit, we are to die to our selfishness and are called to serve Jesus by serving others. We are to die to self in order to be raised to new life in service to Jesus and to others.
By making Jesus and His teachings the center of how we live, people will see the love of Jesus dwelling in us. Then they will come to us, like the Greeks in today's gospel, and say "We would like to see Jesus." May our lives be a reflection of Jesus, bringing others to know Him and to enter into relationship with Him.
Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Your reflection reminds me of the saying I first heard at Mary Reparatrix Retreat House in a spontaneous petition by one of our fellow retreatants: "You may be the only Gospel someone will ever read.". YES, the way we live and the way we treat people should demonstrate the life of JESUS within us and the Gospel and draw people to JESUS CHRIST, the Gospel, and the Church.
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