Loading...Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 49:1-7 ; Psalm 71:1-14 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 ; John 12:20-36
"Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” A simple statement from the Greeks - part inquiry, part plea. These words express the desire of our own hearts, and the hunger of the world. It is the call of baptism, both to seek Jesus and to live as one who brings others to see the Lord.
Jesus then predicts his Passion, teaching how his death will bear much fruit. The Church is never more fruitful than when we intentionally chose to die to our collective self and engage in sacrificial servanthood. In my own life, when I go through dry seasons, feeling less connected to God, it is usually because I have not been attentive to the call to serve. The Passion places before us the truth that there is no higher calling than to be a servant, which Christ models for us.
Today’s collect prays that through the Passion, an instrument of shameful death has become the means of life. We, too, as individuals and the Church, can be transformed by the cross into life-giving servants. This requires us to leave behind death in all its forms, so that, like Lazarus, we might be raised from corruption and walk in the light of new life.
Daily we are asked, "Sir/Madam, we wish to see Jesus.” The world awaits ourresponse.
Hymn 458 My Song is Love unknown
Let us pray.
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
