Tuesday of Holy Week
A Seed grows with no sound but a tree falls with huge noise. Destruction has noise, but creation it quiet. This is the power of silence. Grow silently. — Unattributed
Text for Tuesday: John 12:20-36
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
Jesus Speaks about His Death27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[a] to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah[b] remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Meditations on a Falling Seed:
A seed neither fears light nor darkness, but uses both to grow.” ― Matshona Dhliwayo
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed. — Robert H. Schuller
The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us in our minds wherever we go. — Martha Washington
We know we cannot plant seeds with closed fists. To sow, we must open our hands. — Adolfo Perez Esquivel
Wednesday, November 4: Gratitude Reflection
Let us pay attention to light. To what it reveals. To how it is both particle and wave, something measurable with science, yet also fleeting, untouchable, ineffable.
Some kinds of light — such as daylight — feed our brains, emotions, and bodies. Trigger wellbeing. Enough light sustains growth and life, converts into energy for much of the green and flourishing world. On the other hand, too much light may be blinding and harmful.
Seasonally, the light changes as the earth moves closer or further from the sun. On a clear night, we look up into the sky and witness light that has crossed countless miles and fathomless centuries to reach us. And by day, we witness the radiance of our own solar system’s star. Constellations have been transformed into stories by cultures all over the world, as we see ourselves in the patterns we observe, connecting humanity to the vast universe.
Along the way, humans have harnessed and contained light. Learned how to generate it, so that we aren’t limited to periods of darkness and inactivity in the same way.
On a different level, carrying light within us refers to wisdom and understanding. To spiritual awakening. To the dignity, sacredness and value of our souls, hearts, and minds.
Let us notice the light. Give thanks for the kiss of the sun, the dance of the stars. Reach for the light. Welcome the light. — Rev Gail
While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light. — John 12:36
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. — Albert Schweitzer