DYING TO SELF FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS

“I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; 
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33

“. . . unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, 
it remains just a grain of wheat; 
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”  John 12:24

In this time when we are focusing our attention on protecting our bodies from the dangerous Covid-19 virus, Jesus reminds us of the sacrifices we are making, the dying to self to protect the other, produces the fruit of God being our God, and we being God’s people. (First Reading)

But Christ also calls us to another type of dying to self, one akin to his surrendering to the harsh treatment He will experience from those who chose to defend and protect their own group’s prominence and message by sacrificing Him.  He lets Himself be sacrificed rather than use His power to thwart them.

During this week, when someone chooses their good over ours, be it a spouse not doing what we want them to do or a customer taking longer than we expect at the checkout counter, let us “die to self” by showing patience and kindness, that we may produce the fruit of love and community.

“I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; 
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  Jeremiah 31:33

“. . . unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, 
it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”  John 12:24

Sister Loretta