# The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified
*2015-03-19*

> Bill Young reflects on a passage from the Gospel of John where Greeks seek Jesus, signaling the universal nature of Christ's salvation.

## The Request of the Greeks

In today's reading from John 12:20-23, we encounter a moment following the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks who approached Philip, a man from Bethsaida in Galilee, and told him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip then told Andrew, and together they informed Jesus of the request.

## The Meaning of the Hour

Upon hearing this, Jesus answered, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." This "hour" refers to the pivotal moment in history when God's forgiving embrace of the world is completed on the Cross. This encounter sets the stage for the Passion, marking the transition toward the ultimate sacrifice.

## A Universal Offer of Salvation

The fact that Greeks—non-Jewish people—are asking to see Jesus is significant. It is not the first time outsiders have entered the story, but the evangelist is hinting here that Jesus and His sacrifice will affect everyone in the world. His offer of salvation is universal, extending beyond any single nation or ethnic group.

## Our Call to be Welcoming

If we follow this hint, we are called to open our awareness to all people. God accepts us exactly as we are, regardless of the stage of development in which we approach Him. We should ask ourselves how we can be just as welcoming to others as God is to us.

*Because Christ's salvation is universal, we are called to mirror God's welcoming heart toward all people.*