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. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24-25)
This was a portion of the Gospel from last Sunday. It has been a living part of me this week as I tend my garden and prepare for a summer of vegetables.
Plants do not bear fruit unless the seed, or the grain, gives up its existence as seed/grain. The cycle of life that goes on in the garden is one of life springing forth from death, and after life a return to the dust of death.
It is the story of my compost pile. It is the story of my cover crops. It is the story of my cabbage, my squash. None of them produce unless they give up life.
A few tiny seeds started inside in spring can bring forth dozens of pounds of tomatoes come July. One small seed can birth more zuchinni than you will ever care to pick or eat.
I am convinced that it is the story of our life of faith. It only takes one of us, open to change, open to the death of self, to bear fruit in the world. One servant willing to give, to sacrifice, to pour one’s self out, to serve. That’s all it takes to make a difference, to produce bountifully.
The scripture and tradition of the Church are full of examples of those who gave of themselves so that others might live and grow, and in turn, die to self and start the cycle all over again.
You and I might even heed their examples as we draw nearer to the season where we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of the Holy One.