Sunday Gospel Reflection
"If the grain of wheat dies, it bears much fruit"
Introduction:
The Glory of the Cross
Does the cross have any meaning in today's culture? Does the meaning culture gives the cross have any connection to Christian faith?
References to "Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior" have become popular among sports figures and music stars. After a victory or during an award, stars will give "glory" to God for their accomplishments. As admirable as these testimonials might be, do they really speak of God's "glory?" Have you ever noticed none of these testimonials ever mention the cross?
As we come closer to Easter, the cross looms larger. In this Sunday's gospel, Jesus stated his glory in plain terms. It was the cross.
First Reading
Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I
will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when
I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they
broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD.
33 But this is the covenant which I will make with the house
of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write
it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each
his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them
to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember
their sin no more."
Second Reading
Hebrews 5:7-9
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and
he was heard for his godly fear.
8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he
suffered;
9 and being made perfect he became the source of eternal
salvation to all who obey him.
Gospel Reading
John 12:20-33
20 Some of the (non-Jews) were going up (to Jerusalem) so
that they might worship in the (Passover) festival.
21 Then, these people came to Philip, the one from Bethsaida
of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, "Sir, we want to see JESUS."
22 Philip came and told (the request) to Andrew. Andrew and
Philip came and told (it) to JESUS.
23 JESUS answered them, saying,"The hour has come so that
the Son of Man might be given glory.
24 Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falling
to the ground dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it carries much fruit.
25 The one loving his (life) destroys it. The one hating his
(life) in this world will save it into eternal life.
26 If someone might give service to ME, let him follow (me).
Where I AM, there also will be MY servant. If someone might give service to ME, the Father
will honor him.
27 Now MY soul has been troubled and what might I say:
'Father, deliver ME from this hour?' But, because of this, I came to this hour.
28 Father, give glory to your name!"Then a voice came
from heaven: "I gave (it) glory and I will again give (it) glory."
29 There was a crowd standing (there) and, having heard (the
voice) said, "Thunder occurred." Others were saying, "An angel has spoken
to HIM."
30 Jesus answered and said:"This voice did not happen for
my sake, but for your sake.
31 Now the judgment of the world is this: Now, the ruler of
this world will be thrown outside (his realm).
32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw
everyone to me."
33 (He was saying this, signifying what sort of death he was
going to die.)
Bible Study/Meditation
What can a grain of wheat tell us about life in the kingdom of God? Jesus drew his parables from the common everyday circumstances of life. His audience, rural folk in Palestine, could easily understand the principle of new life from nature. Seeds cannot produce new life by themselves. They must first be planted in the earth before they can grow and produce fruit. What is the spiritual analogy which Jesus alludes to? Is this, perhaps, a veiled reference to his own impending death on the cross and resurrection? Or does he have another kind of "death and rebirth" in mind for his disciples? Jesus, no doubt, had both meanings in mind for his disciples. The image of the grain of wheat dying in the earth in order to grow and bear a harvest can be seen as a metaphor of Jesus' own death and burial in the tomb and his resurrection. Jesus knew that the only way to victory over the power of sin and death was through the cross. Jesus reversed the curse of our first parents' disobedience through his obedience to the Father's will -- his willingness to go to the cross to pay the just penalty for our sins and to defeat death once and for all. His obedience and death on the cross obtain for us freedom and new life in the Holy Spirit. His cross frees us from the tyranny of sin and death and shows us the way of perfect love.
If we want to experience the new life which Jesus offers, then the outer shell of our old, fallen nature, must be broken and put to death. In Baptism our "old nature" enslaved by sin is buried with Christ and we rise as a "new creation" in Christ. This process of death to the "old fallen self" is both a one- time event, such as baptism, and a daily, on-going cycle in which God buries us more deeply into Jesus' death to sin so we might rise anew and bear fruit for God. There is a great paradox here. Death leads to life. When we "die" to ourselves, we "rise" to new life in Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to "die" to oneself? It certainly means that what is contrary to God's will must be "crucified" or "put to death". God gives us grace to say "yes" to his will and to reject whatever is contrary to his loving plan for our lives. Jesus also promises that we will bear much "fruit" for him, if we choose to deny ourselves for his sake. Jesus used forceful language to describe the kind of self-denial he had in mind for his disciples. What did he mean when he said that one must hate himself? The expression to hate something often meant to prefer less. Jesus says that nothing should get in the way of our preferring him and the will of our Father in heaven. Our hope is in Paul's reminder that "What is sown in the earth is subject to decay, what rises is incorruptible" (1 Cor. 15:42). Do you hope in the Lord and follow joyfully the path he has chosen for you?
Reflections:
· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you ?
. Love has a cost. It involves suffering and sacrifice. We,
as Christians, follow Jesus to the cross where he shows us the way to the Father.
---What does the cross mean to you? Have you ever
meditated on a crucifix, seen a Passion Play, or participated in a "Way of the
Cross?" What happened?
. The glory of the Christian is the cross, for the cross
points to God's love far better than any other blessing received in life. It is a
universal sign of God's love. And a universal invitation to follow Jesus. Let us pray we,
too, can show others God's love, even though his love leads to the cross. And to the
resurrection.Consider your walk with the Lord.
----How has that walk led to times of discomfort, even
suffering?
----How has your "experience of the cross"
helped you to grow spiritually?
. John 12:27
The thought of death saddens Jesus, but He turns to the
Father in prayer.
----Are you saddened by Jesus' call to follow Him? To
hate your life? And to be buried like the grain of wheat into the ground? What is your
answer to his call?
. John 12:28-30
Jesus said that the message is intended for you. He
looks at you.
----What do you think God the Father means to tell you?
----What kind of response do you present to Him?
. Does this Gospel passage challenge you against your present way of living? Did you ever introduce anyone to Jesus? What will be your response when someone told you they were wondering about the meaning of life?
Prayer
Lord, let me be wheat sown in the earth, to be harvested for you. I want to follow wherever you lead me. Give me fresh hope and joy in serving you all the days of my life.""Lord, your gospel brings joy and freedom. May I be loyal to you always, even though it produce a cross on earth, that I may share in your crown in eternity.