Jesus' death and resurrection united all

April 2, 2006 -- Fifth Sunday of Lent

By Fr. Michael Stubbs

	Fr. Mike Stubbs

In March 1995, I led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While in Jerusalem we took part in the Stations held every Friday by the Franciscans on the Via Dolorosa, tracing the original Way of the Cross that Jesus walked. People from all over the world had come to Jerusalem to worship there.

L e n t
• Everyday People, Everyday Faith articles
• Other Lent articles

It was a similar situation at the time of Jesus. Sunday's gospel reading tells us: "Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, 'Sir, we would like to see Jesus.'"

Who are these Greeks? They are not necessarily inhabitants of the country of Greece, although that is a possibility. Rather, they are Greek-speaking Gentiles, who could be living anywhere in the eastern Mediterranean world. Greek language and culture was the legacy of Alexander the Great, who had conquered that region about three centuries before. That is why the New Testament was composed in the Greek language.

The group of Greeks mentioned in the gospel had traveled to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple during the feast of Passover. Most likely they were "God-fearers," Gentiles who had adopted the belief system of Judaism, without the formal conversion which would require following the Law of Moses. They observed the moral teachings of Judaism and took part in worship, to the limited extent permitted as outsiders.

Because these Greeks recognize that they are outsiders, they hesitate in approaching Jesus directly. That is why they consult one of Jesus' disciples, Philip. We should note that the name "Philip" is Greek, meaning "lover of horses."

Since the request of the Greeks involves a sensitive matter, Philip in turn checks with another disciple, Andrew. Once again we should note that the name Andrew is also Greek, meaning "man." The popularity of Greek names among the Jews at the time of Jesus reflects the legacy of Alexander the Great.

Finally, the Greeks' request reaches Jesus. Upon hearing it, Jesus launches into one of those long discourses which characterize John's gospel. At first, it also appears that a pattern typical of John's gospel is repeating itself here. Someone asks Jesus a question. Instead of replying with a simple answer, Jesus gives a response which appears to operate at a different level of meaning. The question often is on a literal level. Jesus' answer instead is symbolic. But they do not connect.

The long discourse which responds to the Greeks' request includes the metaphor, "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." Jesus' words anticipate his impending death and resurrection. They explore the meaning of his death and resurrection for the world. His discourse ends, "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."

Jesus will draw everyone, including the Greeks. The long, rambling discourse addresses their concerns, after all. Through Jesus, they no longer will be outsiders.

(Fr. Stubbs, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, has a master's degree in theology from Harvard.)