The Gospel today presents a kind of paradox as we look at emptying ourselves in order to become full or dying so that we might live. Jesus tells us his hour has come, an hour that he has been waiting for, an hour seemingly contrary to an hour most people wait for as they prepare for an hour of glory and triumph. Jesus is waiting for an hour of betrayal and suffering yet in the end it is the same kind of hour we have been waiting for an hour that leads to glory and triumph. Jesus is preparing us for a final hour that will define for us our eternal salvation. In today’s Gospel John leads us to that hour as we read about the Greeks who came to worship at the Passover meal who ask Philip if they could see Jesus. Philip tells Andrew and they both go to Jesus but the hour in which the Greeks longed for to meet the Christ came too late because the hour Jesus waited for had also come. One could interpret the Greeks encounter with Jesus as an invitation to him to walk away from his hour of suffering and follow them to a place of peace but Jesus doesn’t allow that to happen,

Jesus refers to his hour of suffering as his moment of glorification - in other words the crucifixion - is the Son of Man - being glorified One might ask - why did the Son of God have to suffer? In today’s second reading from Hebrews we are told, Son though he was he learned obedience from what he suffered… and became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Listen again he learned obedience from what he suffered and became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Imagine obedience being the means to eternal salvation The greatest virtue one can have is obedience to those who have authority over them as we are obedient to our heaven Father Now we come to the passage of great conflict for those who do not understand the scriptures.

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it’s just a grain of wheat but if it dies it produces much fruit. How can we die to ourselves? I came across the story about two brothers who were very close to one another. Joe was the oldest, a senior in High School. He was a great football player and track star, popular among his peers, and a 4.0 student. His brother Nick was an eighth grader and even though he was also interested in sports he has a handicap as his legs had not fully developed at birth - so he wasn’t able to partake in sports, but he always supported his brother by attending his events. Joe was always invited after the games to be with friends and even though he would sometimes join them he would usually stay back with his brother Joe was once asked by his friends why he wouldn’t hang around with them very much

Joe said - I’m very fortunate to be able to play sports but my brother can’t. I know it’s hard for him to have to sit on the sidelines and watch me play when he really wants to be out there - yet he always comes out to support me so I think it’s only fair that I support him. One of his friends said to Joe, I wouldn’t do that for my brother. Joe said. That’s too bad - you’re missing out having a great relationship with your brother, Making sacrifices for others not only defines one’s character but it exemplifies one as a follower of Jesus. To make sacrifices often requires courage. I recently read that having courage does not mean you’re not afraid it means doing what needs to be done in spite of being afraid listen to those words again having courage does not mean you’re not afraid it means doing what needs to be done in spite of being afraid

Sacrifice requires us to let go of our own desires. Many people don’t understand how to avoid the temptation of seeking personal gain for themselves. Their attitude doesn’t allow them too or they don’t understand the importance of dying to themselves cause they always want to know what’s in it for them but there isn’t anything in it for them if there was something in it for them -it wouldn’t really be a sacrifice would it? but in the end at their final hour there really is something in it for them  - called eternal life.

We are all waiting for the final hour but that final hour is not going to be an hour free of suffering but an hour of total surrender. How easy will it be to really surrender to God’s will? We speak about it as being important for others to do but do we look at is important for us to do? If we truly want to walk with Jesus - we have to surrender. We read in Isaiah 53 We had all gone astray like sheep following our own way, but the lord laid upon him, the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated he did not open his mouth - like a lamb led to the slaughter and - like a sheep that is silent – before his shearers. There is another excerpt from Isaiah we need to take into account that gives our submission to God’s will -hope My servant will prosper because of his anguish - he will see the light - because of his knowledge - He shall be content

Our reading from Jeremiah tells us about a new covenant God will make with his people and how he will place his law within them and write it upon their hearts, saying “I will be their God and they will be my people” We will then know the love and mercy of God and by his grace show that same love and mercy to others By dying to ourselves we produce much fruit and become role models to others so they too learn to sacrifice. I came across this reflection on the final hour. Listen closely to the words. What does this hour bring? It brings a new covenant, a deep interior relationship with God - not based on law - but on all that overflows from a commitment of the heart. It brings an abundant harvest that springs from a simple grain of wheat. It brings a promise from God’s own Son, Those who serve him will be honored by God and those who obey him will enjoy eternal life. Who would not want such favors? Who would not be willing to run into the arms of a gracious God - to accept them? Although this hour brings many blessings, it comes with a price. The abundant harvest that sprang from a dying grain of wheat was won by the shedding of the lamb’s blood - Eternal salvation could only be won by the total surrender and suffering of Christ.

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One’s moment of decision is based on the final hour. we need to ask ourselves how we will respond to that hour. We have a choice - to step into the new day or return to the darkness of night. To refuse to live in this final hour means we choose to live in and unredeemed world one that belongs to the prince of darkness It means we are satisfied to sit among the ruins of broken covenants It means we are satisfied -to remain covered with the guilt of our sins and continue to be enslaved by addictions that cripple us.  As challenging as the message as these readings may be - the last note - is hope. Jesus has driven out the prince of darkness and has drawn everyone to himself - the strength in today’s readings is for us to step into - the new life that is offered us.

The mercy of God is revealed in many ways. People who had been in exile are allowed to return home; people who were deprived once again embrace what they so tenderly cherish. The cries of lamentation 

are replaced with shouts of joy. Sinners are given another chance any trace of transgressions - are washed away in the blood of Christ The Miracle of divine mercy fills them with gratitude and praise. The whole world is offered the opportunity of a new life in Christ. Those who accept the offer stand in silence before God’s incomparable mercy   Don’t miss your final hour. Prepare your heart for it every day. Be willing to sacrifice for others and endure your sufferings for Jesus who was willing to suffer for you