The document provides commentary and outlines for Bible readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent. It summarizes the first reading from Jeremiah which announces God's new covenant to be written on people's hearts instead of tablets of stone. It also summarizes the responsorial Psalm about creating a clean heart and the second reading from Hebrews about Jesus learning obedience through suffering. The Gospel reading from John is about Greeks wanting to see Jesus and his teachings on dying to produce fruit and being a servant by following him, as well as his coming hour of glorification through death.

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
5th Sunday of Lent B
22 March 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
 31 The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will
make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the
house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I
made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke
my covenant and I had to show myself their master,
says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant which I will
make with the house of Israel after those days, says the
LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon
their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. 34 No longer will they have need to teach their
friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from
least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I
will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no
more.
The focus is on God’s covenant.

3. 1st reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The new covenant announced
 31 The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will
not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took
them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they
broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the
LORD.
The new covenant explained
 33 But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them,
and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be
my people. 34 No longer will they have need to teach their friends
and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest,
shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and
remember their sin no more.
A simple outline!

4. 1st reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The new covenant
announced
 31 The days are
coming, says the
LORD, when I will
make a new
covenant with the
house of Israel and
the house of Judah.
32 It will not be like
the covenant I made
with their fathers the
day I took them by
the hand to lead
them forth from the
land of Egypt; for
they broke my
covenant and I had
to show myself their
master, says the
LORD.
Commentary
 In v.31, God announces the
making of a new covenant
(alliance, agreement) with the
whole Israelite people (Judah
and Israel).
 V.32 states that the new
covenant will not be like the
old one, given at Mt. Sinai,
which their ancestors broke.
 V.32 also indicates that God
has to show that he is in-
charge, not they.

5. 1st reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The new covenant explained
 33 But this is the covenant
which I will make with the
house of Israel after those
days, says the LORD. I
will place my law within
them, and write it upon
their hearts; I will be their
God, and they shall be my
people. 34 No longer will
they have need to teach
their friends and kinsmen
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest,
shall know me, says the
LORD, for I will forgive
their evildoing and
remember their sin no
more.
 V.33 describes what the new
covenant is all about.
 It will be written in their hearts,
(not on stone tablet).
 What remains the same is the
relationship between God and
the people.
 “I will be their God and they
shall be my people.”
 In v.34, there will be no need
to teach others (for the law of
God will be engraved in their
hearts).
 V.34 also announces God’s
forgiveness.

6. Reflections on the 1st reading
 God intends to have a good relationship with us.
 When we enter into a relationship (covenant) with
him, we must not break it.
 We must diligently and conscientiously maintain
it.
 We are all covenanted with God in our baptism.
 As God’s covenanted people, we must not have
strange gods and behavior.
 Our stance is always that of listening to him and
never compromise our relationship with him in
pursuit of wealth, power and prestige.

7. Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
 R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
 12 A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
13 Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
 14 Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
15 I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.

8. Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15
 R. (12a) Create a clean heart
in me, O God.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in
your goodness;
in the greatness of your
compassion wipe out my
offense.
4 Thoroughly wash me from my
guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
 12 A clean heart create for me,
O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew
within me.
13 Cast me not out from your
presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not
from me.
 14 Give me back the joy of your
salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
15 I will teach transgressors
your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
Commentary
 The psalm is a prayer of a contrite person. It is
believed to be the prayer of King David.
 In vv.3-4, the psalmist prays for the forgiveness
(cleansing, washing), of his sins (offense, guilt),
in parallel form.
 In vv.12-13, the psalmist makes the following
petitions:
 To create a clean heart
 To renew a steadfast spirit
 Not to ostracize him
 Not to take away the Holy Spirit from him.
 Vv.14-15 continue the petitions:
 To give back joy
 To sustain willing spirit.
 V.15 contains the promise of the penitent man:
 To teach transgressors, fellow sinners to return to
God

9. Reflections on the Psalm
 Like David, we must humbly acknowledge our
sin and guilt, and pray like him.
 When we remain in sin (not cleansed and
forgiven), we cannot have joy in our hearts;
God is absent in our affairs.
 As penitents, we also have a mission:
 To induce other sinners to return to God.
 Salvation is not just for ourselves, but also for
others, who are groping in the dark.

10. 2nd reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
 7 In the days when Christ Jesus was in the
flesh, he offered 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 reverence. 8 Son though he
was, he learned obedience from what he
suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he
became the source of eternal salvation for all
who obey him.

11. 2nd reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
 7 In the days when Christ Jesus was in the
flesh, he offered 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 reverence. 8 Son though he
was, he learned obedience from what he
suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he
became the source of eternal salvation for all
who obey him.
The focus is on obedience.

12. 2nd reading: Hebrews 5:7-9
 7 In the days when
Christ Jesus was in
the flesh, he
offered 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 reverence. 8
Son though he
was, he learned
obedience from
what he suffered; 9
and when he was
made perfect, he
became the source
of eternal salvation
for all who obey
him.
Commentary
 V.7 describes what happened to Jesus,
when he was still alive on earth (in the
flesh).
 Jesus really prayed.
 He experienced brokenness so much so
that he prayed with loud cries and tears.
 Jesus really believed in his Father.
 V.7 intimates that Jesus was heard by the
Father because of his reverence
(obedience).
 V.8 gives the wisdom of suffering.
 Jesus learned obedience from his
suffering.
 In v.9, Jesus became perfect (through
obedience).
 Obedience is also expected of us in order
to attain salvation.

13. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 Obedience is the name of the game.
 Without obedience, we cannot be saved.
 Obedience can be learned by undergoing
suffering (tedious learning of the right
things).
 When we avoid suffering and death (self-
denials, death to oneself), we will never
learn how to be obedient.

14. Gospel reading: John 12:20-33
 20 Some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the
feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and
asked him, "Sir, we would like 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 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the
ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it
produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever
hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever
serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant
be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 "I am troubled now.
Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for
this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it
again.“ 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others
said, "An angel has spoken to him.“ 30 Jesus answered and said,
"This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time
of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to
myself.“ 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
The focus is on dying.

15. Gospel reading: John 12:20-33
Wanting to see Jesus: The Hour
 20 Some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. 21 They came
to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like 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.
Dying
 24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it
remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his
life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.
Being a Servant
 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.
The Hour
 27 "I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it
was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice
came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again.“ 29 The crowd there heard
it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him.“ 30 Jesus
answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
The Time
 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven
out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.“ 33 He
said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
A simple outline!

16. Gospel reading: John 12:20-33Wanting to see Jesus: The Hour
 20 Some Greeks among those
who had come up to worship
at the feast. 21 They came to
Philip, who was from
Bethsaida in Galilee, and
asked him, "Sir, we would like
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.
Dying
 24 Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to
the ground and dies, it remains
just a grain of wheat; but if it
dies, it produces much fruit.
25 Whoever loves his life loses
it, and whoever hates his life in
this world will preserve it for
eternal life.
Being a Servant
 26 Whoever serves me must
follow me, and where I am,
there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever
serves me.
Commentary
 In v.20, the Greeks can also refer to Hellenized
Jews (Greek-speaking Jews).
 They approach Philip. v.21
 Philip shows them the way to Jesus. v.22
 V.23 indicates Jesus’ time for his glorification.
 Glorification is the passion, death and resurrection of
Jesus and his ascension.
 V.24 is the famous wisdom saying of Jesus on
dying.
 It speaks well of his experience.
 It also suggests what will happen to us, if we die like
him.
 V.25 states another saying of Jesus on dying.
 Jesus really encourages us to lose our life (to die) in
order to gain life for ever.
 V.26 talks about being a servant.
 The servant must follow the footsteps of his master.
 The servant must also learn how to die.
 God the Father recognizes anyone who serves
Jesus.

17. Gospel reading: John 12:20-33
The Hour
 27 "I am troubled now.
Yet what should I say?
'Father, save me from
this hour'? But it was for
this purpose that I came
to this hour. 28 Father,
glorify your name." Then
a voice came from
heaven, "I have glorified
it and will glorify it again.“
29 The crowd there
heard it and said it was
thunder; but others said,
"An angel has spoken to
him.“ 30 Jesus
answered and said, "This
voice did not come for
my sake but for yours.
The Time
 31 Now is the time of
judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this
world will be driven out.
32 And when I am lifted
up from the earth, I will
draw everyone to
myself.“ 33 He said this
indicating the kind of
death he would die.
 V.27 indicates the feelings of Jesus who is
about to die.
 He experiences fear.
 As a human being, he wants to avoid pain.
 Yet, he realizes he has to do God’s plan.
 In v.28, the Father glorifies his name through
the suffering and death of his son.
 The Father speaks. He affirms his son in the
hearing of the crowd.
 In v.29, the crowd reacts.
 In v.30, Jesus reacts, clarifying that the voice
is for their sake.
 V.31 repeats the element of time indicated in
vv.23 and 27: Now…
 For Jesus, now is the time for him to be
glorified, at the same time, to drive out the
ruler of this world (Satan).
 V.32 talks about his ascension.
 But v.33 clarifies that his lifting up is his
crucifixion.

18. Reflections on the gospel reading
 Death is inevitable.
 It is part of our existence. It is part of being human.
 For Jesus, it is part of his ascent into heaven.
 It is a step toward his glorification.
 For us, death brings a lot of uncertainties.
 We never know what will happen if we die now.
 Christian death should be viewed as giving life to others.
 We die so that others may live.
 We should embrace Sister Death (St. Francis’ vocabulary), if it
is time to die.
 We should forget our self-importance.

19. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading teaches that the new covenant
is written in our hearts. The old covenant is
dead.
 The psalm is a prayer of a penitent, who dies to
sin.
 The second reading teaches obedience through
suffering and death.
 The gospel teaches that by dying we give life.

20. How to develop your homily / sharing
 We are close to celebrating the paschal triduum (the
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus), on Holy
Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday / Easter
Vigil.
 This Sunday we put emphasis on the meaning of Jesus’
death.
 We cannot deny that Jesus as a human being died. The
gospels testify to his death.
 Some Christian groups do not want to celebrate his
death because they say, “God is alive, he is not dead.”
 Christians should be reminded that we can have a more
meaningful proclamation on Jesus’ resurrection only if
we consider his death.
 The disciples and apostles of Jesus did not say “Jesus
is alive” when he was still alive.

21.  The readings invite us to focus on the mystery
of death.
 The first reading talks about the establishment
of the new covenant. It implies the death of the
old covenant.
 The new covenant is written in the hearts of
men and women, not on stone or stony hearts.
 We, Christians, live in the new covenant which
is ratified by Jesus with his own blood.
 We must take care of our new relationship with
God, as specified by Jesus.

22.  The second reading tells us that there is
wisdom in suffering and death.
 By willingly embracing suffering and death, we
learn obedience, like Jesus.
 This obedience is our ticket to heaven.
 Refusal to suffer, to sacrifice and to die runs
counter to Christ’s teachings.
 As human beings, we cannot be perfected
without being re-touched by hardships.

23.  The gospel reading affirms the importance of
dying.
 Dying is giving life to others.
 Dying is total self-giving.
 We don’t have to be literal always when we talk
of dying.
 Actually, true Christians die many times before
they actually die.
 The more they die (they hold their fire when angry or
provoked, they have patience with those who are slow to understand
and commit mistakes, they fast and abstain from gossip, forbidden
food, cravings), the more they give life to others,
even those who are hopeless.

24.  We Christians must learn how to die to
ourselves.
 Many of us do not know much about dying to
oneself.
 We talk more about survival.
 Many times survival means living at the
expense of others.
 In the process, we commit injustices and crimes
against humanity and our planet earth.
 To live like Christ is living on a higher level,
although our feet stay flat on the ground.

25.  In the eucharist, we celebrate Jesus’ death to
give us life.
 In the eucharist, we express our willingness to
give ourselves to others.
 In the eucharist, we experience the mystery of
death and life.
 In the eucharist, we become alive with others
and with God.

26. Our Context of Sin and Death
 Living like cancer cells = cells
that refuse to die
 State of denial
 Pride
 Forced deaths
 Abortion
 Euthanasia
 Suicide
 Genocide
 Murder
 Armed conflicts
 Extrajudicial killings
 Violence
 Breach of contract
 Dying to self
 Obedience
 Humility
 Resignation
 Submission
 Acceptance

27. Suggested Songs
 Holy
 Into your Hands