Homily: Friday - 4th Week of Lent 2017 - The hour is near

The "hour" of Jesus is a noticeably prominent theme in John’s Gospel. The word "hour" sometimes refers simply to a short period of chronological time (a 60-minute period during the day). More often and more importantly, however, "Jesus' hour" refers to the climactic event of his death and resurrection, which the Fourth Gospel also refers to as his "glorification".

Jesus says to his mother at Cana: “My hour has not yet come”. As Good Friday approaches, he rhetorically asks Andrew and Philip: “Should I ask my ‘Father to save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”. And at the Last supper, Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven and prays, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.”
In John’s Gospel, it is clear that Jesus is utterly aware of who he is and what he is about: he is the Son of the Father come to do the Father’s will. He prepares—he measures his time—for his hour, and he proceeds to this hour with confidence, trust in God, undistracted.

What about us? As we make this Lenten journey? Do we do so recollectedly, measuredly, cautiously, reverently of the hour. As we go through our day. are we conscious that “this is Lent”, this is the hour for me to glorify the Father through my Lenten penances? This is the hour for me to seek God’s mercy, the transformation of my heart, to become more like Christ who embraces suffering for the salvation of the world?

Or do continue to allow ourselves to be distracted by the noise around us and within us? The quiet of Lent, the silence that should mark our days, the putting away of non-essentials, these practices should help us quiet down, to focus on the hour.

One of the Saints even cautions us to “Beware of much speaking, for it banishes from the soul the holy thoughts and recollection with God.”

By nurturing this Lenten recollection, we unite ourselves to Christ in this hour, and prepare for the hour when we will be called upon by God to witness, to suffer, to endure the trial, to persevere in faith, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For greater devotion in our Lenten prayer, greater self-restraint in our Lenten fasting, and greater selflessness in our Lenten almsgiving.

That civil leaders will use their authority to protect the dignity of human life and the well-being of the poor, especially the unborn.  We pray to the Lord.

For young people, that they may be kept safe from the evil distractions of the world, and be brought up in faith-filled homes, that they may believe in the importance of loving and serving the Lord with their whole hearts.

For those preparing to enter the Church at Easter, that these weeks of Lent may bring them purification and enlightenment in the ways of Christ.  We pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation or illness: that the tenderness of the Father’s love will comfort them.  We pray to the Lord.