The Gospel for this Sunday gives us an opportunity to reflect on the reality of fruitfulness. Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, then it bears much fruit. What do these enigmatic words mean for us? I think it tells us that we become fruitful when our lives are shared. But we can only share our lives when we know how to sacrifice, to die to ourselves so that fruit may come forth. This is precisely the power and the example of Jesus. He became our Savior not through good intentions alone. He became our Master not through learned or flowery words. Jesus fulfilled his mission at great cost, by dying on the cross. When we look at great people whose lives touched and continue to affect the lives of their brothers and sisters, we can see traces of Jesus’ sacrifice in their own.
Just remember St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. John Paul II. Dying to self, selflessness, sacrifice – these are not popular concepts or words today, especially at a time when people are thinking first of themselves amidst many crises and difficulties. However, nobody can be truly fruitful in relationship, business and commerce, community service or career unless these words become at least implicitly part of his life. If a person shuns the hard road of sacrifice, then he can reap material rewards. But is his life truly significant in this world?
Maybe some of us are thinking: we cannot perform great deeds; it is hard to imitate the Lord and his saints and great men and women. But the key is not to be found in great deeds. The KEY is found in LOVE. The key is not to be found in ostentatious or public display. The key is found in sincerity. St. Therese of the Child Jesus was enclosed in a monastery all her life and yet she touched many hearts. As the Holy Week draws near, Jesus invites us to be fruitful by being willing to make little sacrifices that will make others happy and to make the world of ours a better place to live in. God bless!
This Sunday is the Third Scrutiny of the Elect. March 19 is our Patronal Feast and so we honor St. Joseph with a Special Mass at 6:00PM in the evening. Everyone is invited with a little fellowship at St. Joseph Hall. The next day is the beginning of spring time. Be now prepared for the Holy Week. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie