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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Jesus extends His mission through His disciples

by Fr. Richard C. Macey of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 20, 2009

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The meaning of a “new covenant” is still being debated in our Church. Many early Fathers of the Church interpreted this passage from Jeremiah to announce the coming of Jesus. Some claim that the Mosaic covenant has been completely abrogated. The document issued in 2001 from the Pontifical Biblical Commission on the “Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures, in the Christian Bible” suggests that at least some portion of the old covenant remains in effect. The Jews are still a “chosen people.”

In Hebrew, “new” can mean the same thing as the notice, “new and improved,” which we find on some cereal boxes. It looks a lot like the old, but it has some changes for the better. The Jews also believed that there was more than one covenant of God, even if their covenant created a unique relationship with God. For example, there was the Noahhide covenant, which bound the resident aliens in the midst of Israel. It was not abrogated by the Mosaic covenant of God with the Israelites.

The universal knowledge of the Law of the Lord extends the command of God in the Book of Deuteronomy, which said that the people must “teach them to your children” (Dt 11:19). The becomes internal, “upon their hearts,” rather than external. “All. . .shall know me.” The Law was not separated from their personal relationship with God. It was a connection, a knowledge, which was not based upon social class.

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

The Letter to the Hebrews offers a unique image of Jesus Christ as a high priest (4:14). He not only offers the sacrifice for the people, but He offers Himself as the sacrifice. In the previous verses in this chapter, the author combined two scriptural quotations: Ps 2:7 (“You are my son…”) and Ps 110:4 (“You are a priest…”).

Jesus is affirmed as the Son of God the Father. But Jesus also “learned obedience.” Obedience becomes virtuous and proven when it is tested. The suffering of Jesus challenged His commitment to follow the Will of the Father. His efforts had a universal effect of achieving the possibility of salvation for others, who follow His example of obedience.

Gospel: John 12:20-33

This passage anticipates the missionary activity of the Church. Philip was approached by “some Greeks.” They requested: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip and Andrew are the only disciples, who have Greek names. Andrew was the brother of Peter. They both came to Jesus. The verb, “to see,” can refer to physical sight or a revelation from God. Whether they actually saw Jesus is not answered in the passage.

There is also a reference to martyrdom in the early Church. The reference to the grain of wheat which dies and produces fruit is echoed in the familiar saying of Tertullian (AD 160-220): “The blood of martyrs (is) the seed of Christians.” Jesus may have been “troubled” because He foresaw the problems which His death would bring about for His disciples.

This event is directly connected to the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. At the end of this pericope, Jesus speaks about the coming crucifixion: “this hour… glorify. . .the time… time of judgment… lifted up from the earth.” He applies it to the universal mission of salvation. Jesus says, “I will draw everyone/everything to myself.”

The whole ministry of Jesus, the seven signs which He worked in the Gospel of John, were the glorification of the name of the Father, who is obviously God, not His human father.

The Passion, which begins in the following chapter, will be a further confirmation of that glorification. The statement of Jesus, “when I am lifted up from the earth,” relates to the Crucifixion. The “time of judgment on this world” links these events to the final judgment of God upon all creation.

Jesus will be lifted from “the earth,” but He is not taken out of “the world.” Thus, He “will draw everyone to myself.” He does not separate Himself from us, but brings those who “will be my servant.”

In our parish this Lent, we have rested the large Crucifix over the baptismal font, connecting the dying and rising of Christ. It is the birthplace of new Christians, where we will receive new members into the Church at the Easter Vigil and throughout the year. It is also the place where we bring the body of a deceased member of the parish to begin the Mass of the Resurrection. I have also seen one of our parishioners kiss the feet of Jesus on Cross after Mass, after signing herself with the baptismal water from the font. It is a reminder to me of how powerful our symbols can be in drawing together the practices and teachings of our faith.

Our beliefs go far beyond the limitation of our words or our works. But the sacramental signs help raise us into the presence of God, as we remember the promises of our entrance into the community of faith.

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.