JN 12: 20-23
“The ultimate display of love is not hugs and kisses. It is sacrifice.” (Steve Harvey) Today’s gospel comments on Jesus’ notion of love. He says: “If the grain of wheat does not die, it remains the same but if it falls and dies it brings the rich harvest.” Why Jesus used this analogy?
Jews had a glorious conception of Messiah, Who liberates them from the Roman slavery and establishes the throne of King David. But Jesus came to establish the kingdom of His Father which is built on the civilization love and lasts for eternity. But the path that Jesus chose to build this kingdom was based on his own self-sacrifice on the cross. In John 10:10 we read: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Jesus knew that by dying on the cross, he is going to restore the eternal life for all of us. Jesus says: “There is no greater love than laying down one’s life for his friends.” Whenever someone makes a sacrifice on behalf of the other, there is genuine love. There is no love without a sacrifice. Jesus expressed his love for us by dying on the cross. His intense suffering and pain gave salvation to humanity.
In our times, love is defined in terms of utility and pleasure. Consumerism exhorts us that we can buy love with money. But Jesus challenges our conception of love with his unconditional love for each one of us. Like Jesus, Let us willingly make sacrifice own behalf of others and build His kingdom.