Gospel of John 12:24-26
The story of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, the deacon of Rome, is well-known and serves as a powerful example of selflessness and devotion. When the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence surrender the riches of the Church, he acted swiftly to distribute as much Church property as possible to the poor and needy, preventing it from falling into the hands of the prefect. In a defiant act, when ordered to present the treasures of the Church, Lawrence instead presented the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering, declaring them to be the true treasures of the Church. This act ultimately led to his martyrdom.
In today's Gospel, the parable of the 'dying' seed holds significant meaning, especially on the Feast of St. Lawrence. Primarily, the parable highlights the connection between Jesus' death and the life that springs forth from it. Just as the purpose of a seed is to produce fruit, Jesus' mission and death aim to give life to the world. This illustration presents a different perspective on death. While death is commonly viewed as negative and something to be avoided, in the case of the seed and the Son's death, it becomes the means by which fruit is produced and true life is granted. Similar to a farmer who gains fruit by sowing a seed, God the Father gains many more children through the Son's sacrifice!!! (John 1:12).
What holds true for Jesus should also apply to his followers. The seed (representing the Son) serves as an example for the fruit (the disciples) to emulate. A seed that refuses to 'die' fails to grasp its purpose and will not yield fruit. This concept extends to Jesus' disciples as well. To love one's life in this world means to prioritize worldly pursuits and oneself over God's kingdom and eternal life. The ultimate value of life is not found in this temporal world but in the promise of eternal life. "Hating life" signifies the correct way to love it. It entails following and imitating Jesus by embracing the sequence of dying to self in order to bear fruit.
Tertullian, an early Church father from the second century, famously stated, "the blood of the martyrs is seed for the church." St. Lawrence's martyrdom exemplifies the essence of the Christian life. We do not live for ourselves alone. Our sense of self must be overshadowed by Jesus, and our preoccupation with self must be replaced by a focus on Jesus Christ. We exist for Christ, who often reveals Himself to us through the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the suffering. By serving Christ to the point of giving our lives for Him, we become like that grain of wheat that yields abundant fruit.