Glorious Fruit – Reflection on John 12:24-26
It is hard to completely allow the Holy Spirit to work through you when you are “in the world” outside your faith community. Are you kind, just, righteous, compassionate, loving, and consistent in prayer to help bring those “of the world” “out of the world?” Our helping task is to let someone see how we are and behave to open the door for the Holy Spirit to burn in their hearts. Jesus’s words sometimes seem harsh. But for the most part, using metaphors and situations we can understand he is actually focusing on the spiritual aspect of our lives. This is especially true feelings and thinking processes of how to reduce being enamored with worldly attractions. We can do the same as Him by mingling with those “of the world,” so some can come to believe. If we let ourselves mature into Jesus’s harvestable grain, we can be part of the process of helping others fall and germinate on the holy ground into visible, glorious fruit.
The Exhortation to the Apostles by James Tissot (full resolution painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
John 12:24-26 – Scripture*
24 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. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 12:24-26 Reflection – Glorious Fruit.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the John 12 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Glorious Fruit
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.