“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice came for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of the world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. (John 12: 27-33)

As we enter our final week in our journey towards Easter, we are reminded that the glory of the resurrection of Jesus is preceded by his excruciating suffering and death by crucifixion on a cross. However, it is through his sacrificial suffering and death lifted up on a cross that he brings glory to the Father by drawing all people to himself.

As we meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross this Holy Week, we are reminded that God shows his love for us in that that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us so that we might be reconciled to God and saved by his life (Romans 5: 8-10). Let us give thanks to God for his amazing grace and love revealed in the suffering, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth which we anticipate and celebrate on Easter Sunday!

This is the paschal mystery which we are called to enter fully into as we journey with Jesus through his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection this Holy Week and Easter. Let us also remember that we are called to share in the sufferings of Christ in this world so that we might also be able to share in the glory of his resurrection in the world to come.

May the Lord grant us all the courage and strength to watch and pray with him in his hour of trial that we might not fall into temptation but find strength to stay awake and to stand before the Son of Man!

Prayer

Loving God, we thank you that you so loved the world that you gave your one and only Son who came to do your will by suffering and dying for us on the cross so that we can know forgiveness for our sins and participate in your divine life through his resurrection! Fill our hearts with love and thanksgiving as again meditate on your suffering and glory this Holy Week and Easter. In the name of your Son, Jesus of Nazareth we pray. Amen