A sower went out to sow....

5th Sunday of Lent

Long time ago in a farm, there was a beautiful bamboo tree right in front of a farmer's house. This bamboo tree is so pretty that it became an attraction in their town. So many people admired its natural beauty and its elegance even the way it swings every time the wind blows. The farmer who owns this bamboo so loved him that he wanted to preserve and just let him live his life.

But one day out of desperation he had decided to cut the bamboo tree. So he talk to the bamboo tree and explained that he has to make use of him and it's necessary to cut him. He told the bamboo tree that he loved him so much but even though it hurts he has to do it. The bamboo replied, "I my self, am surprised too, why I'm the only one standing here. Others are long gone; I've seen you cut them and used them to build houses, fences fisherman's tools' even bed at one time. I know I'm ready if you need me too."

So the farmer cut his beloved bamboo tree. After a while the farmer said to the bamboo tree I need to remove your branches and leaves too. The bamboo replied in agony," do you really have to do that? I'm already in pain now you have to break my branches and even remove my leaves too?

After cutting and cleaning the bamboo the farmer said to the bamboo I have to remove your head and split your body in half. The bamboo replied," I respect your decision please do what you think is necessary."

After the cutting and some more cleaning and preparations, the farmer brought the bamboo to the highest part of his farm, there he used the bamboo as an irrigation pipe to bring water to the low lying portion of the farm unreachable by water before.

After several months, the water that flowed from the bamboo pipe gave life and produce abundance to the farm and the people of the town.

Then the bamboo realized his purpose and he was so happy, he gives his life so that others may live.

Our Gospel today opens with some Greeks who had come up to Jerusalem to worship. Philip brings them to Andrew and he brings them to Jesus. Jesus brings them right away into the heart of a paradox and into the heart of truth.

"Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies it remains alone: but if it dies it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life destroys it, and whoever despises his life in this world keeps it for everlasting life."

The Greeks wanted to see Jesus. But what does it mean to see Jesus?

This season of Lent invites us to see Jesus on the Cross. To see here means to find the meaning of His self-offering on the Cross. As the gospel suggests, the self-offering of Jesus is a mark of a total surrender to the will of the Father. It is a show of obedience to the will of the Father. The surrender can be found in a beautiful imagery of the grain of wheat. He says that the grain of wheat should fall to the ground and die so that it can produce fruit. There is a seeming contradiction here: losing one’s life so that others can win life. Dying to oneself so that others may live. Like in the story of the bamboo, it dies to give others life.

This point is something we need to look into. We, people, have this tendency to cling or to hold on to many things. This results to a compromise in our discipleship. For instance, if we cling too much to power or riches, our discipleship suffers. If we cling to sins, we compromise our discipleship. If we cling to vices, our family or marital relationship suffers. It also brings misery to the concerned person. The person’s life can be pathetic. 

However, if we try to “lose” these things; if we allow these things to fall and die, life would appear instead. Like, for instance, if we “die” to our sinfulness, we can have a “new life” in and with God. Or a person who is drunkard and womanizer brings trouble and lifelessness to his family. But as soon as he “dies” to his vices, a life full of happiness will emerge in his family. Indeed, “dying” to some things would bring life to our relationship with God, and with our family. Moreover, pride and arrogance bring death in every relationship, like friendship. But if we try to lose or to die to pride, a new life in friendship begins; friendship would be rekindled. Hence, dying brings about life.

Patayin natin ang masasamang hilig upang mabuhay tayo na disiplinado at makatulong sa iba. Patayin ang labis na pagmamahal sa sarili upang makapaglingkod sa kapwa...