The Grain of Wheat

The thing about the grain of wheat
That falls to the ground and dies—
It wants to
So it can sprout new life

It knows dying to self is
Difficult, arduous and slow,
Gradual,
A series of stages and steps

Most importantly,
A willingness,
The seed’s “Yes”
To freely lay its life down

Flowering into its higher purpose—
Bearing fruit so glorious, wonderful
And new

The thing about the grain of wheat—
It fell to the ground and died
Because it wanted to

By Cathy Lamperski Dearing

(Cathy Lamperski Dearing is a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.) †

The Criterion