5th Sunday of Lent

Date: March 29, 2009

First Reading (Jeremiah 31: 31-34)
A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.
The time is coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I will forge a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. For they broke my covenant although I was their Lord. This is the covenant I shall make with Israel after that time: I will put my Law within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God and they will be my people. And they will not have to teach each other, neighbor or brother, stating: 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the greatest to the lowliest, for I will forgive their wrongdoing and no longer remember their sin."

Second Reading (Hebrews 5: 7-9)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: Christ, in the days of his mortal life, offered his sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to him who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his humble submission. Although he was Son, he learned through suffering what obedience was, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him.

Gospel (John 12: 20-33)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
There were some Greeks who had to come up to Jerusalem to worship during the feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went to Andrew and the two of them told Jesus. Then Jesus stated, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life. Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now my soul is in distress. Shall I state: 'Father, save me from his hour'? But, I have come to this hour to face all this. Father, glorify your Name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and I will glorify it again." People standing there heard something and state it was thunder; but others stated, "An angel was speaking to him." Then Jesus declared, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours; now sentence is being passed on this world; now the ruler of this world is to be cast down And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all to myself." With these words, Jesus referred to the death he was going to die.