Fifth Sunday in Lent

Rev. Susan G. Astarita

April 2, 2006

 

Dear Friends,

Here we are at the Fifth Sunday in Lent, only one week before Passion/Palm Sunday.

It is a good thing that we were refreshed last week on Refreshment Sunday. And indeed we were! Thanks to Perrine De Shield, Evangeline Wotorson, Ethel Shiancoe, Miata Sherman, and, of course, Father Emmanuel Johnson for their wonderful words of sharing and conversation, and for hosting a beautiful reception. We are all very grateful.

The wisdom of the church tells us that we need a repast to enable us to endure along with Jesus, through the long, arduous journey to Jerusalem. So: now it's back to the trail!

In this morning's gospel, John, like all the evangelists, is writing on the "other side" of the crucifixion -- through the lens of Easter. All the events have already taken place and the gospel writers are reporting.

John reports that the Cross is a coronation, and the events leading up to it reveal the regal nature of Jesus, the King. But no matter how majestic and monarchical the Jesus presented in John, he is still human enough to possess a "troubled soul."

This is not the agonizing account found in Mark, where Jesus is distressed, agitated and deeply grieved. For John the darkness Jesus experiences is a glowing darkness -- a darkness that reveals the harsh but redemptive spiritual reality of death and rebirth: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John's Jesus explicitly refuses to implore his Father to "save me from this hour." He proclaims, because he is aware of his pre-existence, that he has come to this hour to glorify the Father's name. Through death he is returning to a state he has temporarily left during his brief stay in the world. He is not presented as a victim at the mercy of his opponents since he has freely chosen to lay down his life with utter certitude that he will take it up again, and draw us all through to eternal life with Him!

For all of us who come to those moments when we have troubled souls, suffering and challenge, decision and choice points, this is the God who draws us through, who teaches us and forms us for service to glorify God's name.

For those things done and left undone, Gracious God, heavenly father, we are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, judge us, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Faithfully,

Mother Susan +