Scripture Reading
John 12:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Reflection
Jesus is speaking here about his own approaching death, but also articulating a principle woven into the fabric of creation: fruitfulness requires dying. The seed does not bear fruit by resisting the soil but by surrendering to it. The Lenten disciplines of fasting and self-denial are small deaths that open us to a resurrection fruitfulness we could not manufacture ourselves.
Prayer for Today
You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven.
We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen
We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen
Amen.