From today’s Scripture: “Amen, amen, I say to you, 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

If Christ is the “seed or fruit” of salvation, then Mary’s womb effectively becomes the soilbed of salvation. Mary, Our Lady of the Fields, is the fertile soil in which faith flourishes. Through this fruitful soil, the fruits of salvation are grown to their perfection. Through this soil, many come to receive the “bread of salvation.” That is the bread of Christ himself. 

As St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “We recognize a tree by its fruit, and we ought to be able to recognize a Christian by his action. The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives, for being a Christian is more than making sound professions of faith. It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways. Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs, and live them out, than to talk eloquently about what we believe, but fail to live by it.” 

Let us pray: Today, Lord, let me be the fertile soil where your word takes root and flourishes. Allow me to die to myself so that I might live in you.

Today’s author is Glenmary Brother Thomas Nguyen, currently assigned in Martin County, North Carolina, for his advanced missionary formation.

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