John 12,24-26

August 10, 2023 (Thursday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: John 12,24-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “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.”

Reflection:
What can a grain of wheat tell us about life and the kingdom of God? The image of the grain of wheat dying in the earth in order to grow and bear a harvest can be seen as a metaphor of Jesus’ own death and burial in the tomb and his resurrection. Jesus knew that the only way to victory over the power of sin and death was through the
cross. Jesus reversed the curse of our first parents’ Adam and Eve disobedience through his obedience to the
Father’s will – his willingness to go to the cross to pay the just penalty for our sins and to defeat death once and for
all. His obedience and death on the cross obtain for us freedom and new life in the Holy Spirit. His cross frees us
from the tyranny of sin and death and shows us the way of perfect love. There is a great paradox here. Death leads
to life. When we “die” to ourselves, we “rise” to new life in Jesus Christ. (FERRE, SOFIA.S., LASALLIAN
FORMATION, AND SOCIAL ACTION – Lasallian Mission Minister (Ret.), 2019)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to discover God’s active presence in his Word, in men
and women, in the poor, in nature, in history, and in ourselves.” As Lasallians, we have to discover God’s active
presence in every situation in our lives. Every time we have problems, in times of stress, or depression, God is
there to help us. In our happiest moments, God is still there. God is always present in every situation. We have to
discover it within ourselves. We have to treasure the faith and love that God had given. Faith is our connection to
God. As St. John Baptist De La Salle says, “We have to remember that we are always in the holy presence of God
and that we have to “live Jesus in our hearts.” As brothers, sisters, and laypersons, do we live our faith in every
moment of our lives? (LASALLIAN FORMATION AND SOCIAL ACTION, 2018)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle