Holy Thursday by Ermes Dovico
GOSPEL PEARLS

The proper weight

Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12: 25)

Gospel Pearls 10_08_2020

Jesus said to his disciples: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. (John 12: 24-26)

By the example of the hatred of one's earthly life to achieve eternal life, Jesus wants to teach the disciples the price one must be willing to pay to put the Gospel into practice. If we want to be a disciple of Jesus, true conversion means changing the principles to which we submit your will. Hence, in the extreme case, that we are forced to choose between fidelity to Him and our own lives, we must remain faithful to our divine Saviour at the cost of being tortured and killed. Today, in a moment of silence, let us reflect on the proper weight we give to material things, including our earthly life, remembering the greater importance we must give to eternal life.