Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

As humans we want a ‘satisfying’ end – whether that is the end of a story, the end of a phase of our lives or the end of a life. If the ending is untimely or there are ‘loose ends’, our brains will ‘worry away’ at such matters until a ‘completion’ can be found. The disciples of Jesus suffered a devastating loss at his death. It was only after the resurrection of Jesus when they turned his words over and over in their minds that they found an answer much broader than Jesus.

This type – the death that gives life – they finally saw in many places, including nature. With this faith, disciples of Jesus found the grace and strength to withstand persecutions and many other difficulties. With this faith, an individual life helps to build a community. This logic is still counterintuitive, as I suspect it always will be. Yet there is so much richness that we must try to break it open for our young people so that they can ponder its truth in the light of their lives. With God’s grace the pattern will continue.

Have a great week!

Patrick