But if it dies, it produces much fruit

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relative how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Gospel: John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them,  “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Reflection
By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

How many times have you died, but felt so alive?

Let me count the ways.

1.       When you, dear OFW Mom, gave up this week’s lunch and just had crackers, to save up for your daughter’s graduation dress;

2.       When you,  Mr. CEO Dad, did not attend the party your company threw for you, to attend the father and son weekend camp in school;

3.       When you, the family’s eldest, laid your schooling aside, to help your parents work so the little ones can go to school;

4.       When you, Madam teacher, crossed 2 rivers, and walked 5 more miles to reach your public school and light up the faces and minds of your students; 

5.       When you, little boy, gave your unprivileged neighbor your most favorite toy;

6.       When you, Ms. young professional, decided to live simply and ended the vicious cycle of upgrading your phone;

7.       When you, Mr. I-can-do-it-all, finally resigned to God and relied on Him, instead of your own hands;

8.       When you, the betrayed, forgave and let go of all the wrath in your heart;

9.       When you, yes you, gave up your pride, and said the very difficult “Sorry;”

10.   When you, drug rehab patient, finally said yes to the treatment you so need;

11.   When you, a progressive cancer patient, stopped being angry at life, and surrendered everything to your Maker;

12.   When you, Mr. SAF officer, during those last minutes of your breath, thought, “Para sa bayan…”

I can go on and on and list the ways we deny ourselves of the pleasures of life. It is in these times that we die to ourselves, so others may live, and so we transcend to a higher level of life. We taste what true joy is. This is what taking up our cross and following Jesus mean. As He said,

“Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.”

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You. Thank You for giving me the privilege of sharing with You Your sufferings. As I carry my cross and follow You, fill me with peace and courage that with You, I should not be afraid of denying myself. In this worldly time of “me-firsts,” please shift my gaze to Your will as I serve my family, my friends, my subordinates, my neighborhood, those people You send my way. Help me to die to myself so I may don a new life in You, Lord. Amen.