Bear Much Fruit

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:20-26

Today is the anniversary of the terrible attack on 9/11. So many innocents died that day and so many selfishly offered themselves to rescue victims and recover those who had died. Twenty-three years on and we're still broken by the destruction, vulnerability and all our fears. To this time and place, we hear Jesus remind us that a grain of wheat must fall, die to bear much fruit. I think that is a really hard statement this day. And I am reminded that the hardest thing for me and all humans to do, is to set aside our ego, our pride and our plans so that the community can bear fruit. Jesus offered himself for the whole world, and his sacrifice and incarnate love invites us to offer what we can of ourselves for the suffering and pain of others. God's fruit is healing and reconciliation.

Abundant Creator, who teaches us daily

you call us to bear fruit by self-sacrifice

you show us how love can heal all

and how we can bring the world together.

We are living in selfish and violent times 

we want to be in charge and in control

reluctant to share the abundance we have

and jealous of those who have even more.

Lord, help us to humbly bear good fruit

make us always ready to give up our place

help us to be courageous and ready to fall

so we might become a bountiful garden for all. Amen.