Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- Living, Loving, Losing Our Life

Word on Fire Ministry ^ | 8.10.22 | Bishop Robert Barron

[MurphsLaw]

FEAST OF SAINT LAWRENCE, DEACON AND MARTYR

JOHN 12:24–26

Friends, in today’s Gospel, just after announcing that he was about to be glorified on the cross, Jesus declares:
“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.”

A seed can exist for a long time—they have found seeds in the tombs of the Pharaohs.
But unless they fall into the soil and crack open, nothing further comes of them.
Their life is inside, but it’s a life that grows by being given away and mixing with the soil around it.
Paradoxically, when you look at a great tree, you simultaneously see none of the original seed
and nothing but the original seed, now flourishing.

What does the prince of this world, the devil, tell us?
Hang on to yourself.
Aggrandize yourself. Stay safe, protected.
But Jesus has come to throw out that prince, that principle.
He proposes himself as the new prince. His sign is the sign of the cross.
The death that leads to transfiguration:
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.”

[MurphsLaw]

1st Reading: 2Cor9 6-10

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined,
without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

+++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.”+++