The Critical Hour of Jesus Christ
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-30
Today’s readings address the theme of Christ’s suffering and death. In fact, the gospel reading taking from John 12: 20-30 speaks of the “coming of Jesus’ hour”. What hour? The hour of His suffering and death. The “hour” of Jesus is a prominent theme in the Gospel of John.
The word “hour” sometimes refers simply and literally to a short period of chronological time. However, “Jesus’ hour” refers more broadly to the event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which the Gospel of John refers to as his “glorification” (John 12:23). Before this gospel Jesus had constantly said that his hour has not yet come (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20). In fact all through the Gospel of John Jesus was conscious of his hour but from Chapter 12 without reference to other specific event Jesus said “the hour has come” (John 12:23;13:1;17:1). Beloved, His hour came with basic lessons for us about life and death. His hour tells us of the critical moments of the hour of death.
1. Last visit to Jerusalem: Jesus’ hour tells us of the last time Jesus came into the Holy City of Jerusalem. Imagine if you are privileged to know the last time you will visit a place what will you do? In Jesus’ case he revealed himself to those who desired to see him. There are various kinds of people in a city: The bad, the good, wicked and dubious. In the city of Jesus; there were those who were singing Hosanna (John 12:13); those who were planning to eliminate him; those who were speaking ills of him and the Greeks who desired to encounter him. Which of these categories do we belong?
2. The natural truth: Christ’s hour makes us to understand that we must die in order to live. Jesus himself says “unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest” (John 12:24). There are natural truth in life, things we cannot change. And these natural truth also points to spiritual truth. If we must grow spiritually our body must die. If the body does not die we shall continue with the regular slogan that “the spirit is willing but the body is weak”. Unless we plant we cannot harvest; unless we read we cannot teach. Unless our pride dies we can never be humble, unless gossips die slander and character assassination will never stop. Therefore, if we must grow this Lenten season we must by way of fasting and self denial kill the vices and addictions we struggle with.
3. Mentality about life: The critical hour of Jesus calls us to have a change of mentality towards life; Jesus himself says “Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life.” What the world counts as gain is not what God counts as gain. For the world, a man his successful by virtue of his materials; but for God, a man is successful by his relevance in eternity. Matt.16:26 says “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”. Thus, Success in the eyes of God is the salvation of our souls. Beloved, if our mentality towards life does not change our life cannot change. Some of us are humble now because we are financially broke. Some are holy now because they can’t finance pleasurable sins. Let us caltivate the right attitude towards life and regardless of our condition we shall be happy. To lose your life does not suggest suicide but sacrifice. Without sacrifice, no thanksgiving. (When I survey).
4. Judgement: The critical hour of Jesus Christ also reminds us of judgment: Jesus says ‘Now judgment is passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be overthrown.” Beloved, we must be conscious of this last moment when we shall face the judgment of God who is just. If your ways are not just, please adjust this lent. We cannot rub God – whatever a man sows he shall reap (Gal.6:7). Judgment is true and the seeming victor of this world shall be dethroned. Therefore, like the Psalm of today let us ask God to wash us more and more from our guilt and cleanse us from our sins.
5. The Great Decision: The critical moment of Jesus’ death is also a moment of great decision. We must make that decision to follow him. Jesus himself says in the gospel “If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.” God will reward all those who shall be faithful to the end. Your endurance he says shall win your lives (Luke 21:19). The kingdom of God has no place for wanderer (John 14:3). Therefore, let us follow him, if we follow him we shall not wallow, if we follow him surely goodness and mercy shall follow us and we shall dwell in his house forever.
6. The last hour: The critical hour of Jesus speaks of our own last hour. At Jesus last hour he offered petitions to God (Second reading). What could be said of our own last hour? The bible says that Jesus spoke up and said “Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”. Beloved, the last hour brings us with so much trouble, we appear confused and frightened; it could be said that Jesus was soliloquizing – speaking his thoughts out irrespective of his listeners. Beloved, the hour of death brings us to that state where we soliloquize! Faced with anxieties; glance into the past quick and clear. If we must overcome and say “Father, glorify your name”; then we have to prepare and pray for a holy death. Conscious of this hour of death – the Church gives us various prayers in this regard –commonest amongst them is the second part of the Hail Mary that says: “Holy Mary Mother of God pray us sinners now and the hour of our death. Amen. The scriptures also prepares us for this hour Eccl3:2 “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”; Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Beloved, we must realize that out time is short so that the D-day whenever it comes will not be a shock to us. God bless you!
I need Thee every hour
Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee
I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh
I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain
Come quickly and abide
Or life is vain
