In our Gospel today, Jesus declares his relationship with his Father: “I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him because I am from him, and he sent me.” Our Lenten liturgy will not allow us to miss what lies ahead as we will follow Jesus into that moment which will be the culmination of his life and the transformation of ours. The decisive “hour” for humanity is arriving, a moment that will forever separate grace from the law, love from fear, and hope from anxiety. Fr. Paul Philibert says that heaven will embrace the earth when that hour comes, and the Son of God will pour his redeeming blood over all humanity. His “hour” will also be our “hour” since he has invited us to follow him and to share in the sacrifice he offers for our salvation.