It is 10th August 2015. We celebrate the feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. The readings are from 2 Cor.9:6-10 and the Gospel from Jn.12:24-26. In the first reading St. Paul advises us that God loves a cheerful giver. When sowing good deeds, we must be generous. In every relationship, there is a time to generate. Generativity is the basis of our existence. We need to share our very selves to the others and to God. “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Cor.9:8). The responsorial Psalm sings, “Blessed the person who is gracious and lends to those in need.” (Ps.112:5). The Gospel too invites us to crucify all that is contrary to God’s will in our lives. “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). In our spiritual life, we need to die for our personal sins daily. We always ask, How long must I make sacrifice for the other? We need to make sacrifices until there is a growth in me internally which benefits the other. It is all about losing oneself and living for the welfare of the other is the sacrifice every seed needs to make. Every seed (person) has to undergo that self-transformation in order to be the fragrant offering to God and to the others. We must not expect the others (seeds) to do their part while we are still struggling to be generous in giving out entire self for the growth. We cannot ignore the presence of the other no matter what type of seed we can be. Somehow, a personal death has to happen to our hard shells of selfishness and sinfulness. May the Lord bless you to be productive wherever you may be in your life.