10-Aug-15

Gospel JN 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
Reflection:
There are three distinct but related truths set forth in today's gospel message.
First, Jesus points out to his disciples that a grain of wheat by itself can provide very little substance, but if it dies and grows, it can produce and provide for many. The message is clear: If we die to our own selfish and self-serving desires and focus our life on helping others, we too will produce and provide for many.
Second, if we love our life and the things of this world, we will "lose" ourselves in the pursuit of acquiring the things of this world. However, if we "hate" (have no regard for) the things of this world, we will focus on the things of heaven and selflessly seek to do those things which will lead us to "eternal life."
Third, if we seek to serve Jesus, then in our mind and heart we will stay close to him and our Father in Heaven will honor those who serve His son.
It all, of course, sounds very beautiful in theory, but how does it play out in the real world in which we live? The world of teenage children, jobs, mortgage payments, "anything goes" television and, "as parents we are failures if we don't take our kids to Disney World."
Jesus is not saying we must abandon life and live like a saint. He is saying we should not let anything in this life become more important to us than following Jesus, by giving hope and help to some poor soul who is less fortunate than ourselves.
We all know people who are natural givers. Jesus is saying, "Be a natural giver" and your Father in Heaven will see your good works and "honor" you for what you do "for the least of his people."

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2nd Corinthians 9: 6-7