Something Greater Than Myself: Reflecting on John 12: 20-33

By Victor Lara
Source: https://wallpaperaccess.com/cross

Scripture:

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, “Sir, we would like 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.
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.
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
‘Father, save me from this hour’?
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said,
“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Reflection:

After reading the Gospel, I can see parallels in my everyday life. Jesus mentioned, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” which makes me reflect that Judgement Day is close, but I do not fear it because I walk with the Lord. Those that serve Jesus and are loyal servants to him will receive great honor from the Father. For no person is free from judgment.

Jesus’ comment on the grain and its death resonates a lot with me because I am a firm believer that all living creatures that die serve a greater purpose for something else to be born. When plants die and fall to the ground, eventually, they become nutrients and soil for other plants. The saying “From dust you are and to dust you shall return” when we receive ashes from the priest align with this. The life I live in the reflection of what others will think of me and how I move about in the world. The decisions that I make, the way I treat others, and the direction that I walk is the resemblance of my own lifestyle. I enjoy belonging to something grander than myself because I have a purpose in life and I know that God has a plan for me. I just have to listen to his words and follow in his steps.

Reflection Questions

How are you connected to Jesus?

Does your life reflect the teachings of Jesus, if so, how do you walk like him?

How would you feel if death came knocking, would you be ready to go?