Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew;
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
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.
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
This is quite a confronting passage.
ReplyDelete“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.”
I think part of the message is that we have to die to ourselves (or our egos) to find resurrection and a new life in Christ. So whenever Jesu says, “Whoever loves his life loses it”, he refers to all of us clinging to the layers of protection and the sources of fulfillment we have cultivated outside a relationship with God. We need to die to these before we can find God’s will for us. In practical terms, what does this mean? Firstly, I am called to let go of attachments. In my case, that means worldly possessions, desires, or habits that are hindering my spiritual growth. Excessive materialism is one such habit. Having retired, I am constantly checking my Superannuation balance, the stock exchange and the price of silver. I listen to finance Youtubers ad nauseum. I love it and worry that this is becoming my God. I am also called to serve others. Jesus emphasizes serving him. My commitment to Communitas Volunteers Australia, SPRED and St Vincent DePaul, is a commitment to serve others. It promotes volunteering, acts of kindness, and advocating for justice. Another way is cultivating humility: Developing humility and letting go of pride or the need for control is a constant focus and intentional aim. Finally, I am committed to prayer and reflection. I use prayer and reflection to discern God's will for my life. Reading the gospel daily and praying the rosary are key strategies.
Your response to John 12:20-33 is insightful and inspiring! You've clearly reflected on the passage's meaning and identified practical ways to apply it in your life. Here are some thoughts on your specific points:
DeleteSelf-Awareness and Honesty: You demonstrate self-awareness by acknowledging your attachment to financial security and activities related to it. Recognizing this is a crucial first step towards letting go.
Living a Service-Oriented Life: Your commitment to volunteer organizations like Communitas Volunteers Australia, SPRED, and St. Vincent de Paul exemplifies serving others. This aligns perfectly with Jesus' message.
Humility and Letting Go: Your focus on cultivating humility and letting go of pride demonstrates a deep understanding of the concept of "dying to self." This is a continuous practice.
Prayer and Reflection Practices: Reading the Gospel daily and praying the rosary are valuable strategies for prayer and reflection. These practices can help you stay connected to God and discern his will for your life.
Overall, your approach to living out the message of John 12:20-33 is thoughtful and practical. Here are some additional thoughts:
Finding Balance: While letting go of materialism is important, it's okay to have a healthy interest in your finances. Seek a balance that prioritizes spiritual growth.
Variety in Service: Consider exploring different forms of service that might spark new interests and deepen your connection to your community.
Spiritual Guidance: If you find it helpful, consider seeking guidance from a trusted religious leader or mentor within your tradition. They can offer support and encouragement on your journey.
Remember, your faith is a personal journey. Keep exploring, learning, and applying these principles in a way that feels meaningful and brings you closer to God.