10-Aug-16

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:
"Whoever loves his life loses it...."
Today's gospel calls us to reflect upon the things of this life that stand in the way of our dying to self.
The love of admiration and praise from others that feeds our ego. The love of money that feeds our false sense of security. The love of being the best at everything we do that feeds our need for recognition.
Jesus said to his disciple“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat......."
Jesus is not talking about me dying a natural death. He is talking about me dying to self, while I am still alive, so that I may "preserve" my life for eternity.
We learn how to die to self from those we serve for Christ.
The grandmother who gives the bed we brought her to a young woman and baby who are sleeping on the floor teaches me about caring for others.
The mother who invites us to share the meager meal she is preparing for her family as we deliver food to her home teaches me about love.
The child who volunteers at My Brother's Keeper who asks the friends who attend their birthday party to bring food for the poor rather than gifts teaches me about selflessness.
"Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be."
We follow Jesus into the neighborhoods where the poor reside.
For where He is that is where we also want to be.
"It is through the humility of the poor that we learn to die to self."
- - Unknown