Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Joan Cawley
Prayer
“Create a clean heart in me, O God … and a willing spirit sustain in me.” Psalm 51
Scripture
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Reflection
Today’s Gospel reading finds us at the Passover festival and a discussion concerning grain having to die so that it can bear fruit. Jesus is making the application to himself who must suffer and die in order to draw people to himself. John portrays Jesus as resolute in his acceptance of the cross, not just as an instrument of suffering but, more importantly, as the place where his glory will be manifested.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Oscar Romero was the Bishop of San Salvador back in the 70’s and 80’s who took seriously these words. Romero was a conservative, middle-aged man who saw that to be a bishop, to be a priest, to be a baptized Christian was to walk with the poor, to suffer with them and, when possible, to speak out against their oppressors, and then to die with them. He was shot to death as he celebrated Mass. This was the Gospel passage on the day of his death.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
About a month ago, we began the season of Lent – a special time for prayer fasting, penance and alms giving. Hopefully it has been a time when we have discovered certain patterns that have prevented us from living a fuller life. We may have discovered that we’re overly concerned about materials things. Perhaps it has been food or alcohol or some chemical dependence that has preoccupied us and we have worked at self-discipline. Whatever in our lives is that grain of wheat, it has to die – it has to go through suffering and death.
In different ways, each of us suffers and we can come up with reasons for that suffering. We can lay responsibility on God’s shoulders. Isn’t that what we do when we say, “He/she got what they deserved.” Or – “It’s God’s will.” No, it’s not; God wants only the best for us.
During these remaining days of Lent, we need to take Lent seriously if we have not done so.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Reflect
Is there something in my life I know is not right and I stick to it?
Is there some way I could enlarge my circle, do some good, assist others?
Is there some area of my life that I need to die to so that I can live a fuller, happier life?
Closing Prayer
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
