A LIFE THAT IS FRUITFUL (03-25-12)

Fifth Sunday of Lent

John 12:24
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat…”
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“… BUT if it dies, it produces more fruit.”

Does this mean that you have to die physically first before you can bear fruit? Of course not. Even heroes and saints have done something significant in the course of their lives. And the lives they lived have become an inspiration to many, so when they died, we all remember their how they lived and use them us a model for ours.

Dying also refers to being free from our old selves. When Adam and Eve was banished from Paradise, we became the property of satan. And we would commit everything that would be in direct opposite to what God wants us to do.

But with Jesus Christ, we are born to a new life. He has paid the ransom though He, himself, has not sinned. He died for us so we would also die and be reborn with the Spirit that is in Him – the same Spirit that He promised and gave us during our Baptism and Confirmation. Still, some would go back to his old self and wallow in sins, to the delight of the devil. And yet, God would still invite us back to Him, for his mercy is endless. He wants us to live a fruitful life, totally surrendered to Him.

This is Jesus’ legacy – a life that is kind, a life that is loving, a life that is fruitful, a life that is eternal.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, you have died for our sins, and yet, most of the time, we would never give value to your suffering and death. May we continue to die and forego of our old self and be reborn to be like You, accepting fully the Spirit of Life, of Love and of Truth.

Amen +

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.