Dying to produce fruit…

03-17-2024Pastor's LetterVery Rev. Richard C. Wilson, VF, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today’s Gospel might have been powerful words of encouragement in the faith journey of persecuted early Christian community to whom the “beloved disciple” writes. During the festivals in Jerusalem some Greeks went to worship and wished to see Jesus through the help of disciples. To “see” Jesus is not just to look at Him, which is what those Greeks presumably wanted.

To “see” Jesus is to enter totally into his way of thinking, to understand why he had to suffer and die and rise again. Like the grain of wheat, Jesus must let go of everything, including his own life, in order to bring life to him and many others.

If we cannot see this as the core of Jesus’ life, we have not really seen Him. In the words of St. Athanasius, we can see Jesus only through death, through the cross with which Christ bears much fruit for all the centuries. To “see” Jesus means that we understand that by submitting to an undeserved death, Jesus has given the benefit of faith and salvation to humanity. Mahatma Gandhi reflects the same when he said, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Jesus’ words remind that his followers must follow in his steps even unto death. The grain, of course, does not actually die but is totally transformed into something completely new: roots, leaves, and fruit (Easter). Similarly, the caterpillar lets go of being a caterpillar to become transformed into something altogether different and often much more beautiful —a moth or butterfly.

And, if we want to see Jesus, we must walk his Way. “If a man serves me, is my disciple, he must follow me. Where I am, my servant will be there too.” (Jn 12:26). It means walking with Jesus and with Mary all the way to Calvary, wherever that happens to be for each of us. Jesus, who let go of everything for us, invites us to be with Him all the way along by sacrificing himself and allowing his Father’s will to be done.

May God help all of us to die to self that we might produce fruit for Him!

All the best…in Christ,

Father Wilson