Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit

Today, being the last part of Lent, the Church proposes this Gospel to help and guide the whole of the Christendom to attain Palm Sunday so we can all be ready to live up to these mysteries so outstanding for our Christian life.

The Via crucis, or the Way of the Cross, becomes for us a “via lucis”, or the Way of Light, for dying is to be born again or, even better, we must die to this world so that we can live the Truth.

We will better understand the abovementioned statement by deeply pondering on today's Gospel (Jn 12:20-33) which says: "There were some Greeks who had come up to Jerusalem to worship during the feast. They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, «Sir, we wish to see Jesus».

Philip went to Andrew and the two of them told Jesus. Then Jesus said, «The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life. Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

»Now my soul is in distress. Shall I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But, I have come to this hour to face all this. Father, glorify your Name!». Then a voice came from heaven, «I have glorified it and I will glorify it again».

People standing there heard something and said it was thunder; but others said, «An angel was speaking to him». Then Jesus declared, «This voice did not come for my sake but for yours; now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be cast down. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all to myself».

With these words Jesus referred to the kind of death He was to die.

Take note that in the first part of this Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles: «Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit» (Jn 12:24).

In this respect, St. Augustine comments: «Jesus said He was “grain”, that was to be mortified, to multiply afterwards; He was to be mortified by the infidelity of the Jews and He was to multiply for the faith of all the people».

What is the implication of this Gospel passage in our lives today?

How have we been affected by the changing times of today's world in relation to our faith and Christian life?

In light of these inquiries, I can say that the the bread of the Eucharist, made out of grains of wheat, is multiplied and divided to nourish all Christians... to give us spiritual upliftment and nurture.

Dying in martyrdom always bear fruit; this is why «Those who love their life», paradoxically, «destroy it». How do we see ourselves in this passage? Have we been doing what is right and just in relation to our Christian faith?

Christ died to bear, with his blood, fruit; we have to imitate Him to resurrect with Him and bear fruit with Him.

Can we join those Christians who offer their lives silently for the welfare of their brothers?....

Through silence and self effacement we have to learn to become that grain that dies to get back to Life.

The Gospel of this Sunday ends with an exhortation to walk in the light of the Son lifted up from the earth: «And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all to myself» (Jn 12:32).

Let God's light shine always through us to help us dissipate all darkness that surrounds our lives.

It is God's moment now, let us not lose it!

We must not stop being a light to the world.

As the moon gets its light from the sun, we are to be seen reflecting God's light.