unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvestThis line is the hope for resurrection and for transformation. In faith all we really have to cling to are the metaphors. And this one is so very powerful for me. Possibly as I have been so very very needful of some fundamental changes in my life situation of late.
Our usual metaphor for moving on to the next life -- certainly in this culture -- is one of sloughing off the body and the spiritual best part rising up to heaven or wherever the next stage of existence is.
But the metaphor of a seed falling to earth is not one of leaving behind or of a more ephemeral life later on. It is one of more life. Abundance. Potential realized. Produce. Harvest.
unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies . . . Repeat the promise through clenched teeth if I must. But I repeat the promise.
It is hope made manifest.
2 comments:
Yes, life is a succession of deaths and new harvests. We talk about being born again and again and again, but we omit the part about dying again and again and again.
Of course it's much easier to decline that narrow path, to keep a middle ground of safe mediocrity, but the path to God is always open.
Great passage; it's one of my favorites.
I just wanted to let you know that the grain pictured is barley, not wheat.
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