I am troubled now' - Jesus. Am I troubled?

Gospel Thoughts

*Lent : Fifth Week: Sunday

*GOSPEL - Jn 12:20-33*

*First Reading - Jer 31:31-34*

*SECOND READING - Heb 5:7-9*

*'I am troubled now' - Jesus. Am I troubled?*

*1) I am Troubled now*

One of the most important thought in today's Gospel. 

At times we are surprised to see these words which are coming from Jesus 

Normally people don't like to hear these words from Jesus

If so how to understand these words of Jesus?

*2) Why Jesus was troubled?*

The reasons are very clear 

Jesus is explaining the nature of His suffering and death. 

The cruel death on the Cross, which He has to undergo in order to save the entire human race. 

So by thinking of this terrible scene Jesus was troubled

The facing of the crucifixion is not so easy. So by thinking it, Jesus was troubled. 

*3) Getting troubled is the central aspect of Christian spirituality*

Jesus gives the example of the grain of wheat

The process of the grain of wheat, if it wants to produce the fruit is very painful 

Once the grain falls to the ground, it has to lose its original form 

The grain gets decayed in the mud and it loses its outer cover, it breaks itself, then dies for its original form 

If the grain is ready to go through this process, only then it can produce the fruit 

The seed which goes through this process produces abundant fruit 

But if the grain were to think the process of falling to the mud, getting decayed there, breaking itself into two, the seed of grain definitely will get troubled

So getting troubled is the process of yielding the abundant fruit 

*4) Jesus' Life was similar to that of the Grain of wheat*

The process is similar in the life of Jesus and in the life of a grain 

So by thinking the process of the challenge Jesus was troubled 

*5) Jesus was troubled, but he faced the trouble, didn't give up*

From the Gospel its very clear that Jesus was really troubled

But the same Jesus says to us *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.*

So he doesn't ask the Father   to remove the trouble from His life 

But in and through the trouble He asks Father to glorify the Son 

Through the Crucifixion, finally, by facing the trouble Jesus glorified the Father and Father glorified the Son

*6) One can't become genuine disciple without getting Troubled*

When Peter wanted to follow Jesus, he was troubled to make a choice

Zaccheaus was troubled when he wanted to Follow Jesus 

Mary Magdalene was troubled when she wept at the feet of Jesus 

Thomas was troubled when Jesus called him to put his finger into His side 

Peter was troubled When Jesus asked three times *Do u Love me?*

Paul was troubled when Jesus said to him that you are persecuting Jesus of Nazareth

All the saints were troubled to make a choice to follow Jesus 

Mother Theresa was troubled when there was a *Call within the Call*

There is no person without getting troubled became saint

*7) The times are troubled*

As Jesus was troubled the entire world is troubled today, in proclaiming the values of Jesus 

Today people are troubled, faith is troubled, life is troubled, daily bread is troubled, health is troubled, freedom is troubled, and in a way everything is troubled 

Everything in the World is troubled today, because of COVID19. This is fact

*8 Am I Troubled or Still comfortable?*

Am I troubled in any way or still I am comfortable? 

Lent is a time to get troubled about our life and ways through which we are going to proclaim the crucified Christ to the entire World

Unless we get into the trouble one can not proclaim Christ in his life 

When it comes to our faith, the values of Christ, our mission, building the Kingdom of God, one can't do it without getting troubled 

So Jesus' trouble is a real starting point for a genuine inspiration to build the kingdom of God

If So am I ready to get troubled in my Life? 

Am I frightened to get troubled for the sake of Christ?

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*