"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." (Jn 12:24)
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians
2 COR 9:6-10
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.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to John
JN 12:24-26
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.”
FEAST OF SAINT LAWRENCE - DEACON AND MARTYR - John 12:24-26
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
The Word of God in today's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that the grain of wheat must die and must rot in order to produce many other grains. That is the truth, and it’s what has to happen.
By using the image of a grain of wheat dying and rotting, He wants to convey the message that the lives of the disciples must also die like a grain of wheat in order to produce many fruits, that is, to save many souls.
He also advises that whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever risks losing his life will save that very life; that means whoever is willing to sacrifice his life for God, God will give him eternal life. Only God is the source of life. Besides Him, no one can create life.
Today’s Word of God teaches everyone to live and practice according to the instructions of God, which are to know how to sacrifice yourself, be willing to give up and be willing to die for all your sins, and passions, and give up everything you own so that you can fully live and serve God.
That is the image of those who follow God, they will always be with Him, serve Him, and follow His commands. When following God's commands, they will produce many grains and will have eternal life, that is, to be with Him eternally.
During the time of the apostles and martyrs, their deaths proved that they were the grains of wheat that had died and rotted due to their love for God. Today, God also calls His apostles to become like grains of wheat that die for the work of God, to die to all our egos, our own will, passions, and what is ours; to completely obey and live according to God's teachings, to produce many grains, that is, to save souls for God; and to live happily with Him, to be blessed by Him and will be rewarded with eternal life.
God calls His apostles to go and follow the example of the Holy Founding Fathers of the past, which is to live faithfully serving God with full faith and trust and to dedicate our bodies and souls to God so that God can use each person according to His holy will.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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