Make many seeds!
A Gospel Enquiry
We celebrate the feast of St Lawrence, deacon and martyr, on 10 August. Very little is known about him, other than he was a deacon in the Church in Rome; he suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Emperor Valerian around the middle of the third century. The manner of his dying made such an impression on people that they built a church over his tomb. Today it is one of the seven principal churches in Rome and is visited by pilgrims from all around the world.
Here is the Gospel reading from the Mass for his feast day.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to make many seeds. But if it never dies, it remains only a single seed. Those who love their lives will lose them, but those who hate their lives in this world will keep true life forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12:24-26 - New Century Version)
SEE
What does Jesus mean when he says that those who love their lives will lose their lives and those who hate their lives will keep their lives? Why does he speak in this way?
What is your interpretation of the link Jesus makes between being a seed and serving him? Does Jesus tell his followers that they have to die to self if they want to follow him? Or is he saying more than this?
What are the consequences of following Jesus and what do those consequences look like in the world in which he lived, and in the world in which you live today?
JUDGE
What is the significance of his words to the life you live today? What is there in your experience that shows the relevance of the seed dying and hating one’s life in the world to bringing about a better world?
What does your faith say about how to serve Jesus in the situation you have chosen to consider? In what ways does the Gospel reading affirm and challenge your faith?
If everyone lived as Jesus’ servant, what would life be like for you and your family?
ACT
What needs to change in the situation you have been considering so that people will choose to live as servants of Jesus?
What simple action can you take over the next week that will help “to make many seeds”?
Who can you involve in this action and how will you go about involving them?
Author: Pat Branson
Image source: Wikipedia article on the oldest viable seed