by Elizabeth Vice
Jesus deeply loved his community – the twelve, the women, the seventy, and the ones who only touched the hem of his garment for a split second. He wanted to tell them about his death and resurrection. So he told them a parable.
Jesus tells us:
There is a seed – a wheat seed that tumbles itself into the ground.
In the darkness of the rich, nurturing soil, the seed lives and dies. You see, this parable is not about the plant. It is about the seed and the purpose of the seed.
Carefully dig up the seed just as the first shoot appears. Gently brush off the dirt. Carefully examine it. Hold it. Touch it. Surprisingly, it appears exactly as it did when it went into the ground – firm and full.
After about a week when the plant’s leaves have grown about two inches, carefully dig up the seed and observe it. Again it appears to be just as it was – maybe a little wrinkly, but essentially the same. However, when you touch it, the seed feels just a little soft.
After another week, careful observation reveals that the bran, collapses with just the tiniest squeeze. The essence of the seed is gone only the seed coat remains. Soon that too will disappear.
The seed’s willingness to be in transformed in darkness – to die – gives life in a new more abundant way. The mystery of death and new life gives us a glimpse of the Good Shepherd who gives all of himself willingly and gives us the abundant life through his resurrection.
I wonder who the parable is for – then and now?
I wonder how Jesus’ theme of wheat – as seed and bread – carry us through Holy Week?
I wonder how the Good Shepherd remains with us always?
One Response
As I feel the pangs of this seed softening I feel the intensity of what I will miss most. It is The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and all the Catherine’s of the world. I am filled both with the aching of leaving that behind and the joy of the new atrium I’ll one day be invited to enter. As I tiptoe quietly, with my atrium feet, I’ll enter into a place of joy, and hope, love and light. I’ll sit quietly before God and once more, be held in the arms of the Good Shepherd! Today I give thanks to all of you who have brought the joy and hope, the love and light of the child into my life!