5th Sunday of Lent (“B”)
March 29, 2009

Q. 521: What does a “grain of wheat dying” have to do with me? Isn’t it only about Jesus and his death and resurrection?

A. 521: Have you ever stopped to reflect on the “wording” of some of the prayers that you recite daily? Or perhaps have they become sort of “routine” for you? For example, one of our favorite “daily” prayers is one that we address to the Holy Spirit. We solemnly ask the Spirit to “transform us into the image of Jesus, so that when the Father looks at us, he will see Jesus.” Now, I know that when a prayer such as that is sent heavenward, it will be answered, because it accords with the will of God. But do we really understand what we are asking for, or are they just “nice” words?

To be “transformed” is to make a radical change; it is to change the form or nature of something. The grain of wheat in the Gospel today (John 12:20-33) is an excellent example that Jesus uses to illustrate the concept of “transformation.” The little seed remains just that, a seed, unless it undergoes a transformation. It has to “die” to its “self” (using a momentary analogy), its present form of existence, in order to change and provide new life for others – an abundant harvest of wheat. Jesus used that image to describe why his death would not be a failure, but a victory. It was necessary, in order to bring new “life” to many others. The fruit of his death is salvation for those who believe in Him, and the resultant Body of Christ or community of believers. So just my “asking” the Holy Spirit to “transform” me is (in effect) agreeing that some part of me must die, to produce new life. Our Lenten journey is all about this “dying to Self” and once again shifting the focus back to Christ as the center of our lives.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! God’s forgiveness and mercy to each one of us was made manifest on the cross. The cross, in turn, becomes the very instrument of new life for us, and will lead to our transformation into the image of Jesus – exactly what the Father wishes for us – if we will yield to its call for denial of Self and service to others. Accordingly, when we make the “sign of the cross,” let it become a daily instrument of our transformation (CCC #2166).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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