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March 25, 2012, Fifth Sunday of Lent

"... unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies ... it remains just a grain of wheat." (John 12:24)

READINGS:

1. Jer 31, 31-34
2. Heb 5, 7-9
3. Gospel John 12, 20-33         (Click Here for Readings)

REFLECTION: Nothing is accidental with God; he does not work through coincidences and chances of fate. Lent leads to Easter exactly at the same time the tilt of the earth moves us from the bleakness of winter’s cold grasp into the new life of spring.

Lent, winter, grain, death—each of these will be transformed into Easter, spring, fields of wheat, resurrection. If we understand the lesson of the grain of wheat, then death is no terror, but merely the way we pass in order to emerge into our destiny with God.

PRAYER: Father, you have placed your laws in our minds and written them in our hearts. Grant us the wisdom to know your laws and the help we need to understand them.

FAMILY DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY:

Monday: Read the 1st reading from Sunday, Jeremiah 31:31-34, to the family before dinner. Ask what laws are written in each heart.

Tuesday: As family activity this week put some seeds in the ground. See how they die to the new life of flower or food.

Wednesday: With the children today make paper hearts and write on them, “I will be there God, and they shall be my people.” Hang the hearts to be seen and pray as a family for peace.

Thursday: Pray the Mysteries of Light of the Rosary (click here for video) today for world peace.

 
Friday: As a family make fourteen small crosses out of paper or pieces of wood. Place them on a table and with a prayer book of the Stations of the Cross, pray each Station.

Saturday: Take time today to pray for a “new heart” for yourself and others.

PRAYER: Create a clean heart in me, O God!