The Nature of the Grain of Wheat is to die and to produce the Fruit

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 12:24–26*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 9:6–10*

*The Nature of the Grain of Wheat is to die and to produce the Fruit*

*1) Grain of Wheat*

The Gospel of the day, makes a mention about the grain of wheat 

Jesus teaches us a great and a practical lesson from the grain of wheat 

The functioning of the grain of wheat and our life has close connection, which can be analysed in the following way 

*2) The Functioning of the Grain of Wheat*

Once the grain of wheat falls to the ground, it automatically starts sprouting. 

One can't stop the grain of wheat from the sprouting process. It is natural for the grain of wheat to sprout and to produce the fruit 

In the process of sprouting, the grain of wheat loses its original form, which is called the death of the grain wheat, which ultimately results in new life and new fruit from the same grain of wheat 

*3) Grain of wheat and Our life*

The mission of our life is similar to that of a grain of wheat 

In this world, our life is equal to the grain of wheat. God has sown this grain of seed in this world, in the form of our life 

Accordingly, dying to the self and producing much fruit must be the natural consequences of our life on this world 

So the purpose of our life is to produce much fruit, a fruit, which lasts for ever 

As the grain of wheat dies to produce much fruit, we need to die to ourselves to produce the lasting fruit, in the Kingdom of God. 

*4) St Lawrence and the Grain of Wheat*

The life of St Lawrence, in its true senses corresponds to the life of grain of wheat 

Like Grain of wheat, He allowed himself to fall in the vineyard of the Lord, to produce much fruit 

The Martyrdom of St Lawrence could be considered as, dying of grain of wheat, which later produced much fruit 

Even today, the Life of St Lawrence is an inspiration to all of us, in producing the spiritual fruit,  by following the methodology of the grain of wheat in our daily life 

*5) The Grain of Wheat, undergoes a process, Silently*

The entire process in the life of grain of wheat, undergoes silently 

No sound, no publicity and no seeking of attention. It is a silent process 

What about in my life? Is it a silent process or a process which includes lot of publicity and seeking of attention?

Am I able to see the great lesson from the grain of wheat, which we often use. 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*