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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

We have been blessed to be in Seattle for Bishop LaBelle's consecration and took today to enjoy some scenery with family. It was a gorgeous day with sun, and we traveled around seeing the sights of the great northwest. It is a different world than where we live in Massachusetts, and one has to have different expectations when traveling than at home. To learn and experience we all have to give up our closed sense of the familiar and open our eyes and minds to the new. Jesus spoke to his followers about giving up this life. Too often we think that Jesus always meant dying because he did, when in fact our willingness to change, be broken open and be made new are what Jesus invites us to do.

Wondrous Creator you made the world beautiful

you made us dwell in families and venture forth

among new people in lands strange to our homes

yet in opening up to new life we can bear fruit.

Too often we seek only the comfort of familiar

we despise the awkward moments of learning

we resent different ways od speaking and behaving

even though you are present in all of those people.

Take us as we are and make us new again

let us rejoice in the change and the wonder

help us be your people in every place we dwell

and make us open so we might be born anew in you. Amen.