A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (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.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples that unless a grain of wheat dies to produce fruit, it remains just a grain of wheat. Held on to for its own sake, life results in life lost; if it falls, though, it sprouts, takes root, and goes on to produce abundant fruit. Jesus then tells the disciples how this comes to be. In following and serving the Lord, the present life is lost in the love and service of his will. In that, the present life for its own sake is given up in love of the Father, who preserves us for eternal life.
God, you alone know what the words “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies” mean to me. Hearing that makes me reflect on the brevity of life and the sorrow of growing older, losing life bit by bit. Yet, you are the master of time and space; it is subject to your word. When Jesus says “whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life,” it is his body that is the grain of wheat, his dying that destroys death, and his rising that brings eternal life to all. Through participation in the Eucharist, the Mystical Body of Christ is life itself laid down and brought to eternal life through his resurrection. I die in this life to be brought into eternal life through taking the body and blood of your Son, the medicine of immortality.
From the responsorial psalm: “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord.” Lord, let the light of your face shine upon me. Saint Lawrence, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.