The Aspect of Dying in the grain of Wheat

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eighteenth Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 12:24–26*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 9:6–10*

*The Aspect of Dying in the grain of Wheat*

*1) Life and Death in the grain of Wheat*

Today's Gospel speaks about the mystery of the grain of wheat 

Jesus speaks about the death and life of the grain of wheat. It appears that there is some contradiction whenever he says life and death together 

But the dying aspect is very important in order to have greater life 

*2) Dying aspect of the grain of Wheat*

There are many things which die in the grain of wheat 

The external shape of the grain of wheat dies 

The skin of the grain of wheat does 

The colour of the grain of wheat dies 

The grain becomes two pieces. In a way the unity of the grain of wheat dies 

A externally died grain of wheat can't be preserved. 

The grain of wheat loses its *grainness* when it dies to create life 

*3) Grain of wheat dies to live in a fullest way*

The purpose of the grain is to produce new life. In this process the grain dies to so many factors which are mentioned above, but it produces new life 

The grain of wheat loses its *grainness* but it produces new life 

Unless losing this *grainness* or unless it dies to its external appearance, it can't produce new life 

So death is the means of new life 

Through death new life is produced 

*4) Dying factor in our life*

Jesus applies this simple logic from the nature to our life 

Our life is just like the grain of wheat, which has the potential power to produce better quality of life 

Only by dying we can achieve this process. There is no short cut to produce life, without dying to certain things 

So dying factor is very much applicable our life, in order to produce new life 

*5) Dying areas of Our life*

There are many areas to which we need to die in order to improve the quality of our life, especially the spiritual quality 

I must die to my anger 

I must die to my greed 

I must die to my pride 

I must die to my revengeful attitude

I must die to my selfishness

I must die to my comfortable zone

I must die to my hypocrisy

I must die to my laziness

I must die to my sin 

I must die to my ego

Dying to these things will create a new life which will help us to have God experience in our life 

*6) St Lawrence died to many things*

He died to his comfortable life 

He died to his selfish interests

He died to his own will 

He died to his plans

He died to his desires 

He died to his sins 

He died to his greed 

That's why he became a great Martyr, who lives even today and for ever

Death brought a new life, which can never be destroyed by anything in this world 

Am I ready to die in order to have new life???

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*