(Jer.31:31-34, Ps.50:3-4.12-15, Heb.5:7-9 & Jn.12:20-33)
UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS ON THE EARTH AND DIES.
In the time of Jesus the ’Greeks’ is a generic term for the foreigners and non-Jews who are speaking the Greek language. Several of them had converted to the Jewish faith and some of them have come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Having heard of Jesus they were so desirous to see him. When they approached Philip with the request that they want to see Jesus, Philip met with Andrew and both of them went to inform Jesus that the Greeks desire to see him.
In response, Jesus said; ‘Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you solemnly, unless a grain of wheat falls on the earth and dies, it remains only a grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it and anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life….If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too.” Jn.12:23-26.
Here, Jesus likens himself to the GRAIN OF WHEAT which is about to fall into the earth and die and to resurrect into life. Death is the means of life. When Jesus dies and resurrects, the new Temple and the new community of believers will be born and He will unify all believers to Himself.
So as the GRAIN OF WHEAT who will fall into the earth to die and resurrect into life, Jesus invites us (his disciples) to follow after his footsteps by way of ’DYING TO SELF’ so as to bear fruit to the glory of the Father. Are you ready to die to self as a grain of wheat to yield a rich harvest?
Meanwhile, what does ‘DYING TO SELF’ mean? How are we supposed to die to self? In the Scripture, DYING TO SELF entails SELF-DENIAL, SELF-EMPTYING, EMBRACING OUR FAITH-CHALLENGING SITUATIONS WITH CHRISTIAN COURAGE. In the light of this, Our Lord comments; “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” -Matt.16:24; ”Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel will save it, -Mk.8:35.
By way of encouraging us with his own experience of dying to self St Paul goes: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”, Gal.2:20.
From all these, ‘DYING TO SELF’ does not mean one becoming emotionless, or living a life that is contrary to our natural God-given temperament. Dying to self is not about what we are not allowed to do, but what we are now freed to do in Christ, by being in-charge of our impulses such that they don’t control or rule our lives.
Above all, ‘DYING TO SELF’ calls us to checkmate the SELF, which when left in its wildest nature would constitute a big barrier to doing GOD’S WILL. In the spiritual realm, when someone dies to self, the self ceases to command the centre of attention in ones life, rather God now becomes the primary purpose of one’s existence. And every effort now centres on doing God’s will.
In today’s First Reading from the prophesy of Jeremiah (Jer.31:31-34), God speaks of establishing a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and Judah unlike the previous covenant which the people broke and never kept. The words of this New Covenant would be implanted in the people’s hearts. The core of this new covenant is ”I WILL BE YOUR GOD, AND YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE” (Ex. 6:7; Lev. 26:12).
In the light of this New Covenant, therefore, each individual is no longer to be preoccupied with doing his own will, but that of God who created him for a special reason and purpose. Hence, every child of God is called to die to self in order to accomplish the purpose of his existence; ie to do the will of the Father and to bear fruit that will last. In the words of Jesus, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (Jn 15:8).
Therefore, in this New Covenant which God makes with us in Christ, always endeavour to die to self like Christ, giving God the priority and the first place in your life and allowing His teachings and values to determine and colour your daily decisions and choices.
Reflection by
Fr Damian Ikemefuna Ozokwere cssp