The Holy Gospel according to John 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
Reflection: Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel Jesus gives us a simple but powerful reminder of what a grain of wheat symbolizes. “Unless it falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain. But if it dies, it produces much fruit”. This is not only a lesson from nature; it is also the very heart of Christian discipleship. Jesus is teaching us that true life is not found in holding tightly to ourselves, our comfort, or our own plans. True life is found when we surrender ourselves to God and allow our lives to become a gift for others. This is the heart and foundation of a deacon’s calling: to serve all of God’s people, not only those within the Catholic Church, but everyone entrusted to our care.
That is why the Feast of Saint Lawrence speaks so beautifully to this Gospel. Lawrence understood that the life of a disciple is a life poured out in service. As a deacon of the Church of Rome, he cared for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the vulnerable. When the authorities demanded the treasures of the Church, Lawrence did not point to gold or silver. He gathered the poor and presented them as the true treasure of the Church.
In that moment, Saint Lawrence showed the world what Jesus means when He says, “Whoever serves me must follow me.” To follow Christ is to walk the path of humble love. It is to see people not as burdens, but as brothers and sisters. It is to recognize Christ especially in those who are poor, forgotten, sick, or pushed aside.
Saint Lawrence also reminds us that dying to self does not always begin with great heroic acts. Most often, it begins in ordinary daily choices: forgiving someone who hurt us, letting go of pride, giving our time when we would rather protect it, listening with patience, or serving without expecting recognition. These are the little deaths through which God brings forth a harvest of love.
The grain of wheat must disappear into the earth before it bears fruit. In the same way, our acts of love may seem hidden, unnoticed, or small. But nothing given to God is wasted. Every sacrifice offered with faith, every act of charity, every moment of faithful service becomes seed in the hands of the Lord.
Today, Jesus invites us to ask ourselves: What am I clinging to that keeps me from bearing fruit? Where is He calling me to serve more generously? Who are the “treasures” He is placing before me—the people I am called to love, protect, and serve?
Action of the Day: Ask Saint Lawrence to intercede for us, that we may have the courage to follow Christ with joyful hearts. May we learn to serve without fear, to give without counting the cost, and to trust that when we lose our lives for Christ, we discover the life that never ends.
Audio Reflection:
