Turning Point

Something happens today that begins to turn the joy into fear.

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

In today's Gospel, John gives us Jesus telling his disciples that they must be willing to die to this life in order to live.

We interpret this to mean we should expect suffering in this life to be rewarded in the next.  Now if we were with him at the time, we would probably be confused, not knowing for certain that he would soon die and rise again.

But while Jesus is preparing the disciples for what will come next, one of them is off making arrangements for his capture.

The date is being set, and all who came to see his triumphant arrival will soon see him carry his cross in public humiliation and defeat.

Rome will stop this movement by cutting off its head, or so it thinks.

The people who expected a great king to free them from oppression will be disappointed, and all will abandon him.

For us, the next two days will bring us to a deeper understanding of the suffering servant we know as Christ.  It is not for triumph and majesty that God chose to come into the world, but for salvation through humility and compassion.

We will witness this first hand on Thursday as Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and as we go to the cross with him on Friday, we will be challenged to remember this is what we fear most in our own lives.

To come through this week with a renewal of purpose and a commitment to loving each other is our hope, and yet the reality of the world around us makes us wonder if we can do anything to make a difference.

So, perhaps we can look at this week as a turning point in our lives and begin to make changes that will spread love and hope rather than anger and fear.

We can vow to try.

More to come...