Saint Andrew Catholic Church and School

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Readings and Homilies for the Weekend of March 17-18, 2018 (English and Español)

"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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me,  and where I am, there also will my servant be. ... Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth,  I will draw everyone to myself." – John 12:24-26, 31-32

Both Fr. Mark and Fr. Newton contrasted Jesus' willingness to walk toward His death in Jerusalem with our deep instinct for self-preservation. Fr. Mark attributed our desire to live to God's life in us, calling us to eternity. While at times we can be tempted to avoid obstacles and suffering in a misguided attempt to avoid death, if we unite our sufferings and our crosses to the sufferings and cross of Jesus, we will be lifted up with Him.

Fr. Newton reminded us that Jesus, too, faced the temptation to make the preservation of His own life His supreme value, but instead chose willingly to sacrifice Himself. Fr. Newton contrasted our human nature's strong survival instinct with our spiritual call to self-sacrificial love. He said we will all face loss if we are to remain true to what God is asking of us.

Check out all of our weekend homilies below.