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April 15, 2025

For Us and for Our Salvation

Edgardo Colón-Emeric   |   Read John 12:20-36

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Lectionary Week
April 14–20, 2025
Scripture Overview

“For us and for our salvation.” This phrase from the Nicene Creed, which turns 1700 this year, sums up the heart of John’s Gospel. Christ’s life and work was for our sake. Everything Jesus did and experienced abounds with saving mysteries. They are mysteries because the sights, sounds, and scents of God’s glory overwhelm our physical senses and intellectual understanding. They are saving because through these mysteries come gifts of forgiveness, hope, and healing. This Holy Week, John the Evangelist will be our guide to these holy mysteries. Through contemplation of the Gospel readings, we will confess with renewed vigor and deeper understanding that “for us and for our salvation,” Jesus lived, died, and rose again.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read John 12:1-11. Can you think of a time when God’s presence overwhelmed you? How did you share this experience with others?
• Read John 12:30-36. When have you missed the signs of God’s presence? What helped you later realize God had been there all along?
• Read John 19:38-42. What role does divine silence play in your relationship with God? When is this silence a gift?
• Read John 20:1-18. Where do you look for and find signs of resurrection? How do you keep your hopes bold?

Respond by posting a prayer .

John 12:20-36

20 Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human Oneto be glorified. 24 I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. 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 and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. 31 Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. 32 When I am lifted upfrom the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” ( 33 He said this to show how he was going to die.) 34 The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” 35 Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. 36 As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

For us and for our salvation, “a voice came from heaven.” Similar miraculous manifestations occur at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration. In these occasions, the voice speaks for our sake. It proclaims the identity of Jesus as God’s beloved Son.

In today’s reading, there is something different and more intimate. From...

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for inviting me to participate in your dialogue with God. Help me to listen for your voice everywhere and obey. Amen.


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