March 29, 2009: 5th Sunday of Lent

Death is not the end; it’s the beginning of life that will never end.

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. (John 12:24)

This one sentence from today’s Gospel is loaded with food for thought. It (the seed) is loaded, literally, with potential for producing food. As we look around us this spring, we see evidence of what the dying that took place throughout the winter season has now brought about. We are enjoying the benefits of that death. Life is springing forth all around us. All the seeds that have surrendered themselves to death are now providing the beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers that give pleasure to our senses.

As we near the close of Lent, we look forward to Holy Week when we will remember in a special way Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. As Christians we believe that Jesus died and that he was raised to new life. Death is not the end; it’s the beginning of life that will never end.

Action:

Enjoy the spring! Go outside — walk, run, skateboard, ride your bike, clean up the yard! Enjoy the new life all around you. Say a prayer of thanks to God for the new life you are enjoying in nature and for Christ’s life within you.