The Seed of Charity

Gospel Reflection for Thursday, August 10, 2023

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."

Jn 12:24-26

Being a gardener and having grown up on a farm, I always enjoy passages like we have today. The gospel speaks of grains of wheat and the nature of seeds. The first reading states:

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

While both passages discuss farming, their meaning is spiritual. The seed in these readings is charity and the work of the Christian. We are called to care for the poor and to share the gospel. To do so, we must die to self, somewhat. Human nature is to horde our goods for ourselves and our families. To share with others is to sacrifice, especially if our resources are limited. To share our faith is often also difficult. It can be very uncomfortable to speak of such things and to share honestly with others. Some will receive the message and others will reject us. Some will even hate and persecute us.

There is an old saying that the farmer ministers to man’s stomach just as the priest ministers to his soul. Each is necessary. Without the farmer, few would have food to eat, nor could the bread and wine be provided for the Eucharist. Without the priest we have no sacraments and, as Jesus said, no life in us. God, knowing our needs, provides for both the physical and the spiritual. He promises that if we follow His commands, He will provide abundantly.

Most of us are neither farmers nor priests. But, we have our own vocations. We are each called to use our lives and our work in the service of the Lord. In our family lives, our work, our friendships and in our parish, we have abundant opportunity to serve. Sometimes our service may be simply a kind word, holding a door open, a smile or listening with genuine interest. When God blesses us financially, our duty is to give monetarily. When He does not, He does not ask that we place ourselves in financial hardship.

Many Protestant ministers urge their congregations to “give out of your need” to receive more blessings. Sometimes God does bless such a person for their willing sacrifice and hardship. But, as a priest explained to me once, this is not always good advice. A married man has a responsibility to provide for his wife a children first, as must a single mother. An unmarried man or woman may have financial responsibility for an elderly parent. In terms of modern finances, he explained, that one’s first duty is to pay his bills because the money he owes is not his to tithe. We are not called to “rob Peter to pay Paul.” After the bills are paid and one’s basic needs are met (food, heat, fuel, clothing, medical, etc), and even a bit saved for the future as Ecclesiastes teaches, then we may tithe out of our abundance. God promises to provide our “daily bread” and wants to give us abundance beyond our needs. The more we use our abundance for His service, the more He will give us… if that is best.

Those who fully dedicate themselves to God, especially priests and religious, cannot expect a life of abundance and ease. Specifically, some take vows of poverty. But the laity must also expect to suffer. Jesus did not promise an easy life for the Christian - quite the opposite! Even when He enables us to earn a comfortable living, those He loves he will allow to suffer in this life so as to attain abundant joy in the next life. Often times, living with modest means may be a blessing for a man who would be tempted to misuse his money if he had a surplus. Physical or social limitations may be a blessing for one who might misuse his body. Alienation, ridicule and unfair treatment may be a blessing for one who might tend to pride. But, of course, most of our painful circumstances are not God’s doing, but are brought about either by our own actions or those of others. These two, we must suffer patiently and prayerfully.

Truly, God has countless ways of humbling us. None of them are pleasant. But, we have two options, rail at God with resentment, hurt and anger, or accept that He works all things together for our good and will provide for the needs of those who rely on Him. The first option will accomplish nothing good. The second promises eternal reward. The grain or seed of wheat must be buried and its outer shell break down as water enters it to germinate. If the seed never “dies” in this way it can produce no new life. Our Lord suffered and was buried so that He could rise again and give us new life. If we are to have that life abundantly, we must be willing to die to this world, to self, to ego…. “not my will but thine.”

Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic