Dying to Live

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.

Jn. 12:24

How did you read the title? Did you read it as “I am dying to live!” like you are excited to live or did you read it as “I am dying [so that I may] live?” I think these two attitudes are at the ends of the “spectrum of living.” There are some people who can’t wait to live their lives, enjoying every moment, doing whatever makes them happy - the popular “YOLO” mentality (you only live once). Then there are those on the other end who have come to realize that in order to truly live, this “YOLO” mentality must be transformed in a way that leads one to see that “Yes, there is only one life here and so we must enjoy it and live it to the full; and this life must be one of sacrifice and one that prepares us for the true life that comes with Christ.”

Where are you on the spectrum? In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells His disciples that “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.” He was talking about the way of discipleship. Only those who are willing to “lose their life” will gain it for eternal life. We need to make a decision. Will we live for this world or will we live for Heaven? Both entails living in this world, but only one brings us to communion with God.

Losing one’s life does not mean we need to deny ourselves of everything and live a miserable life. In fact, it is the opposite. To lose one’s life means to live life in the fullest way, the most fulfilling way - to live for others, to live for God. Putting others first with God as our goal. In other words, to lose one’s life means to love deeply and truly. So today begs the question, are you “dying to live” or are you “dying to live?”