This Week’s Readings

Sunday 17 March – The Fifth Sunday of Lent

An extract from ‘The Confession of Saint Patrick’.

I testify in truth and in joy of heart before God and His holy angels that I never had any reason, except the Gospel and its promises, why I should ever return to the people from whom once before I barely escaped. It would be tedious to give a detailed account of all my labours or even a part of them; how the merciful God often freed me from slavery and from dangers in which my life was at stake. Hence, then, I give unwearied thanks to God so that I can confidently offer Him my soul as a living sacrifice to Christ my Lord, who saved me out of all my troubles.

How did it come to pass in Ireland that those who until now always worshipped idols and things impure, have now been made a people of the Lord? I am very much God’s debtor, who gave me such grace that many people were reborn in God through me.

First Reading: Hebrews 5. 5-10

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel Reading: John 12. 20-33

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, 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. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say – “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30 Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.