Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in the world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

- John 12:20-26

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. After the resurrection of Lazarus, many have come to believe in Jerusalem, for there were many witnesses to this seventh and final miracle or sign in John's Gospel. The leadership of the temple seek to put Him to death because of it. Yet, He comes into Jerusalem openly for the feast of Passover. As He does, He is welcomed by crowds bearing palm branches, who shout, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. In this beginning of the story of Jesus' last Passover, we get a picture of what will come through evangelism. Philip is a Greek-speaker, as he is from Bethsaida in Galilee. The Greeks are Greek-speaking Gentiles who are interested in Judaism -- my study bible refers to them as "either God-fearing or full proselytes, who come to participate in the Passover festivities." As the end of Jesus' earthly life draw near, we get a glimpse of the many who will be drawn from all over the world to become a part of His flock. "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" - John 10:16.

But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in the world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." John's Gospel has been leading us from one truth to another -- more deeply into the identity and understanding of Jesus and who He is, and what His mission is here in the world. As the outsiders from other "folds" are drawn toward Him, He speaks of the hour that has come, His hour. My study bible says it is "the great hour of salvation through the death and Resurrection of Jesus, leading to the salvation of the human race." Jesus' death and Resurrection will be the seed, as the grain of wheat, which will "produce much grain" or perhaps more literally, "bear fruit." My study bible says that this signifies that "Christ will die in order to give life, a principle of self-sacrifice which applies to all those who follow the way of Christ." Again, we have the promise of the eternal life -- with Him. We are to follow Him, and then we will be with Him, wherever we are. And, He adds, "him my Father will honor also." It is a promise of eternal union, together with Him, that sees us through all our lives and beyond. This great paradox of what we give up in order to join Him will play out through all the lives in this Gospel and beyond, all of the apostles -- and it is at work in our own lives as well.

What is it to fall to the ground and die, in Jesus' metaphor of the grain of wheat? What is it to love or hate our lives in the world -- and to keep it for eternal life? It is intimately connected with service to Him, an exchange. We exchange one perspective for another, and we gain an eternal life together with Him, and a gift of honor from the Father. To hate our lives in the world is directly connected with sacrifice -- with the things we are willing to give up of ourselves in order to better follow Him. This speaks of the deepest possible transformation, a lifetime of drawing closer in relationship to Christ, and following wherever that leads us, and whatever it may lead us to discard. We recall Jesus speaking in Matthew's Gospel, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." What sacrifices of ourselves, our lives or psyche (often translated as soul, the Greek word that is used here) in this world, are we willing to let go of in order to grow closer to Him? "In this world" implies the words He has previously taught as to the "praise of men" that may be in conflict with the "praise of God." What He is speaking about here is the deepest exchange possible, and yet, with God all things are possible -- and with a relationship of love, so we do the same. Jesus Himself is willing to go the full route, the supreme sacrifice, so that we may all be gathered with Him, people from all flocks gathered into one. He will make the most extraordinary sacrifice for this union. Can we follow Him and answer the call? The Greek speakers here prompt Jesus to speak of the fruits of His sacrifice. Together with Him, we are called to bear fruit ourselves.