The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. (Jn 12:24-25)
During today's mass it dawned on me that not only Jesus is the grain of wheat, transformed into a Eucharistic bread that must be consumed to feed humanity, but that i, too, am the grain of wheat. There is no death upon falling to the earth, but rather transformation: roots, leaves feeding from the sun and eventually bursting into many, many new grains to propagate and feed.
Transformed.
And interconnected. That grain can only grow in the Earth's soil and water, fed by the morning star, tended and harvested by farmers, milled by millers, baked into bread by bakers, transported to market by tradesmen ... well you get the point. We all rely on so many factors but often forget to give thanks to each and every step of the way, including the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, a complex and magnificent cycle that is all part of Creation, of God.
If we cling to this life, our own life as we see it, we cannot grow beyond the confines of our own mind. At our death, the preoccupied egocentric mind is gone. The fruits of our labours and loins, build this world and its population, but after thousands of years there is still oceans of suffering: pain, isolation, separation, doubt. The Buddhists see this worldly life as an illusion, while Jesus suggests we 'hate' this worldly life, though perhaps without aversion, rather hating it with passionate wisdom. Just say 'NO' to suffering, to turn a phrase. The life we lead within our own box is Self-centred. One is a grain of wheat that has potential, but unwilling to surrender itself, it remains merely a thing on the ground underfoot. If however, we allow our-Selves to grow, open our own doors and allow the Light to nurture us, fill us, guide us, enrich us, then we might very well put down roots and soar upwards, becoming more than just a thing on the ground, but life itself, part of the cycle, feeding and protecting, instructing and glorifying All there is. The physical suffering of this earthly existence, that erodes our foundations like relentless waves upon a shore, will not vanish, but can become less of a torment and burden. The suffering we experience in our minds, however, like fear and doubt, can lift like mist before the morning sun.
Like the Greeks of today's gospel, i am tempted to want to see Jesus. I've heard about him, am impressed and would like to chat with him, perhaps even debate with him or touch him, before i commit to any change of heart. Knowing my Self, even then, the water might be too cold, too deep, too choppy, too whatever to take the plunge. No, i do not need to see Jesus to appreciate the wisdom of His words. The gift of reason challenges me to open my own door to the Light of Love and grace. Unhappy about suffering? The message is clear. The instructions are accessible to all. Just Do It and see for yourself.
The first signs of germination reward my faith: indeed, my faith is the grain of wheat too, growing higher and stronger and healthier as my perseverance of practise grows. Love and Peace are rewards. The need to cling to the needs of my mind diminishes. Fears ebb. Though i may be just a simple grain of wheat, my life, like that of the wheat and Christ, is eternal in God. How can i not want to give thanks?
Deo gratias.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. (Jn 12:24-25)
During today's mass it dawned on me that not only Jesus is the grain of wheat, transformed into a Eucharistic bread that must be consumed to feed humanity, but that i, too, am the grain of wheat. There is no death upon falling to the earth, but rather transformation: roots, leaves feeding from the sun and eventually bursting into many, many new grains to propagate and feed.
Transformed.
And interconnected. That grain can only grow in the Earth's soil and water, fed by the morning star, tended and harvested by farmers, milled by millers, baked into bread by bakers, transported to market by tradesmen ... well you get the point. We all rely on so many factors but often forget to give thanks to each and every step of the way, including the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, a complex and magnificent cycle that is all part of Creation, of God.
If we cling to this life, our own life as we see it, we cannot grow beyond the confines of our own mind. At our death, the preoccupied egocentric mind is gone. The fruits of our labours and loins, build this world and its population, but after thousands of years there is still oceans of suffering: pain, isolation, separation, doubt. The Buddhists see this worldly life as an illusion, while Jesus suggests we 'hate' this worldly life, though perhaps without aversion, rather hating it with passionate wisdom. Just say 'NO' to suffering, to turn a phrase. The life we lead within our own box is Self-centred. One is a grain of wheat that has potential, but unwilling to surrender itself, it remains merely a thing on the ground underfoot. If however, we allow our-Selves to grow, open our own doors and allow the Light to nurture us, fill us, guide us, enrich us, then we might very well put down roots and soar upwards, becoming more than just a thing on the ground, but life itself, part of the cycle, feeding and protecting, instructing and glorifying All there is. The physical suffering of this earthly existence, that erodes our foundations like relentless waves upon a shore, will not vanish, but can become less of a torment and burden. The suffering we experience in our minds, however, like fear and doubt, can lift like mist before the morning sun.
Like the Greeks of today's gospel, i am tempted to want to see Jesus. I've heard about him, am impressed and would like to chat with him, perhaps even debate with him or touch him, before i commit to any change of heart. Knowing my Self, even then, the water might be too cold, too deep, too choppy, too whatever to take the plunge. No, i do not need to see Jesus to appreciate the wisdom of His words. The gift of reason challenges me to open my own door to the Light of Love and grace. Unhappy about suffering? The message is clear. The instructions are accessible to all. Just Do It and see for yourself.
The first signs of germination reward my faith: indeed, my faith is the grain of wheat too, growing higher and stronger and healthier as my perseverance of practise grows. Love and Peace are rewards. The need to cling to the needs of my mind diminishes. Fears ebb. Though i may be just a simple grain of wheat, my life, like that of the wheat and Christ, is eternal in God. How can i not want to give thanks?
Deo gratias.
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