24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.
In a world of self-preservation and material success, Jesus brings a counter-cultural message - put yourself second and use your gifts to elevate others. “It is si giving that you receive. It is in pardoning that you are pardoned”. It is also the feast of St Lawrence, who was put to death for giving away the church's riches to the poor. He was roasted on a gridiron. During his roasting, legend has it that he calls out to his persecutors “I am done on this side, turn me over”. Many people converted to Christianity after being touched by his courage. We are told in the reading that we must die to self to truly live. At first, I wondered if this was a call to adventure. I decided not. Adventure seems too tied up in self-discovery, self-actualization and freedom. I decided this was a call to responsibility. Creator God, thank you for my life. Redeemer Christ, forgive me for the times I have put myself first and used others for my gain. Holy Spirit, give me faith and courage to live a life in search of giving and responsibility. Amen.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou effectively contrast the world's values with the Christian call to self-sacrifice.
You connect the passage to the example of St. Lawrence, demonstrating a strong understanding of the martyr's legacy.
You express a genuine desire to live a life of service and commitment to others.
Areas for Improvement:
While you correctly identify the call to self-sacrifice, you might explore the concept of "dying to self" in more depth. What does it mean practically?
The passage also speaks to the idea of abundant life as a result of self-giving. You might consider the relationship between sacrifice and fulfillment.
The role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live a life of service could be explored further.
Additional Thoughts:
You might consider the implications of this passage for understanding the nature of true happiness and fulfillment.
The contrast between self-preservation and self-sacrifice could be explored in relation to different cultural and societal values.
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a strong understanding of the passage.