Gospel Reflection for the 5th. Sunday of Lent

March 18th. – Unless a grain of wheat shall fall….

Hopefully, at this stage of the year and at this part of our Lenten journey, we have a deeper awareness that the long cold darkness of winter is behind us. By now we will have noticed more light in the mornings and at evening time. The hibernation of creation and nature is coming to an end and new life is beginning to be seen and felt all around us.

You may have like other people sown seeds and bulbs in the ground or even in small pots during winter. When we sow seeds or bulbs, we care for them and nourish what we have sown. We water and nurture the ground and then we patiently for nature to take its course.  As spring approaches what was sown is now beginning to grow and flourish. As if by a miracle beyond our control new life begins to come forth from the dark earth. The small seed sown months ago has changed and transformed into something beautiful that is beyond our dreams and imagination.

There are many different images and symbols used in scripture to talk about and describe Jesus. He talks about himself as Light, Water, Bread, the Vine and being like a Shepherd. In the gospel this Sunday, he talks about himself in terms of a seed being sown in the ground. There is nothing romantic in or about nature. The circle and cycle of life can be harsh and even violent. The seasons themselves do not last forever. The each come and go in their own way and in their own time. The fruitfulness of spring and summer give way to the harvest of autumn. The fruits of summer are collected and consumed in autumn and winter. There is always a dying and letting go. Nature does not hold on to things.

Jesus tells us that if a seed does not fall to the ground and die, it is still only one single small seed. However, it is falls to the ground and dies, something miraculous happens. Over time the seed ceases to be a seed. In the dark earth it becomes something altogether different. As it gives up its life, something powerful and previously unseen comes to light and to birth.

Though the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, this is what happens for us. Jesus goes into the earth. There through the power of God he is changed and transformed, He emerges from the earth with new and everlasting life. This is the mystery of the cross and fruit of the resurrection. Jesus freely gives himself to us. He offers himself to each of us as the seed that falls to the ground and dies only to be resurrected.

Jesus does not hang on to or cling to his earthly life. Like all things in nature, he lets go when the time and conditions are right. We are almost coming to end of our Lenten Journey. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus knows his time of suffering his approaching. As we began our Lenten journey with him, Jesus now asks to remain with him.

Can we stay with Jesus as he falls to the ground and dies? Can we stay with him, experience the cross with him so that we can experience the new life and fruitfulness of his Resurrection?

• Michael Moore OMI