Fifth Sunday of Lent: Gospel Reflection: John 12:20-33
Some Greeks approached Philip and put this request to him.
“Sir, we would like to see Jesus” (verse 21)
Our Christian faith is similar to an archeological dig. You look at the surface and you can learn a lot. You brush away the dust and then you can learn even more. You dig deeper, you learn more. But you have to start with the basics. You can’t understand God and the complexities of our faith unless you first start with the most basic.
In today’s gospel, some Greeks came to Philip and asked to see Jesus. One of the dynamics of John’s gospel is that “to see” is more than simply to see something with your eyes. For John, “to see” is “to believe” ... to see Jesus means more than simply catching a glimpse of a celebrity who is performing miracles. It means that you really want to get to know and believe in Jesus and the teachings He offers to those who believe.
Question: How often have you felt that strong attraction – that desire to actually see … experience … the presence of Jesus in your life? Personally, I often experience God’s “deeper presence” whenever I am on retreat. When the retreat ends, I don’t want to leave. Like the apostles, I want to build a tent and stay forever! I want to feel the desire to “see” Jesus … to be in His presence. I am not satisfied knowing about Jesus; I want to see Him … I want to be in His presence. What does this mean?
“ I am not satisfied knowing about Jesus; I want to see Him … I want to be in His presence.”
It is not necessary to see in the literal sense to believe. We know this in Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (20:29). The purpose of the gospel is to record Jesus’ signs and words for those who have not seen yet but have come to believe.
Reflection:
Have you “seen” Jesus?
Have you really seen Him, and do you really “believe” in Him?
Do you accept him as your Lord and Saviour?
OR
Is everything in your life still “same old … same old”?
Something to think about.
Sister Dorothy Ryan, csj