John 12:24-26 NRSVue
24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
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Reflection on John 12:24-26
Inspiration from 2024-08-10 Daily Prayer
Life has many paradoxes. The example of the grain of wheat dying, as Jesus did, to bring forth new life, provides a rich message. May we have the ability to let go, so that we have more freedom to receive the true gift.
Being possessive and accumulating much has its hazards. We know that we cannot bring any of the material riches of this world with us when we die. Lord, help us to know what our genuine treasure is, (you!), so that we do not settle for anything less.
Further reflection
The grass sheds its seeds on the soil before it withers. The salmon swims up the stream to die. It is harder for us humans to accept the law of nature, that we too must fade away and find happiness in passing on our riches to others.
Serving Jesus involves a certain losing of our ambitions and wishes. Someone once said to St Ignatius - 'Isn't Francis Xavier very ambitious.' Ignatius replied, 'Yes, but he is not ambitious enough.' Saints converted much ordinary ambition for success, love, health into ambitions for proclaiming and living out the values of the gospel and of the kingdom of God. When anything in us dies in the service of God, something better is born.