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| Saint Lawrence |
(Audio)
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
We hear Jesus calling us to follow him. He does not allow love for life in the world to keep him from going to the cross for our sakes. Jesus is telling us that there is no way to bear fruit for the kingdom except by putting love of God and love of neighbor ahead of our love for this world. Our disordered self-love will choose comfort every time rather than giving one's life for one's friend.
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
We do not hate life in this world absolutely. Our temporary and limited lives here below are in fact a good thing. In taking up our crosses and following Jesus we are actually embracing something better and more permanent.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
We aren't called to the cross just for the sake of the cross. We are called to the cross to produce much fruit. We are called to love beyond ourselves. This is the way that we can enter here and now into the love between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, love where each pours himself out entirely for the other.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
We can even live the call to gift cheerfully. We can't do that on our own. Without grace dying to self for the sake of other is never going to seem like anything but a burden. But we do this because God first showed us how. Now, united to him, we receive the grace we need.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
As our seeds fall to the ground, as we follow the master, may cheerfulness mark our lives. May generosity that stems from the knowledge that God provides mark all we do.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
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