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I am still reeling at the destruction of Notre Dame through the fire yesterday. That cathedral was a symbol of God’s presence in France, and its burning reverberates powerfully with me. The burned church evokes images of Christ’s death on the cross. Like the cathedral, Christ is damaged and destroyed. Its devastation leaves an empty shell. We are shocked, dismayed. How is this possible?
But in John 12:20-36, Jesus talks about his own death, not as something to be avoided, and not even as something inevitable, but as something necessary, intended, perhaps even desirable. He uses the analogy of a seed, that must die in order to produce more seeds.
And he also says that we who follow him, must similarly die; that if we love this life on earth too much, we’re in trouble; that we need to hold on to it just lightly. Instead, if we follow him, through death, we will be with him in glory.
He raises the question of what we have to die to today. Of what in our lives needs to burn to the ground, so that something new can spring forth.
Feature image: Interior of Notre Dame following the fire on 15 April 2019, CNN.
Reflections of God's Love 
Astonishing (or is it?) that the crucifix shines out through the destruction, dear Adrian
Love
Gen
On Tue, Apr 16, 2019 at 9:03 PM Reflections of God’s Love wrote:
> Adrian van Breda posted: “Click here to listen to this 10-minute message. > I am still reeling at the destruction of Notre Dame through the fire > yesterday. That cathedral was a symbol of God’s presence in France, and its > burning reverberates powerfully with me. The burned church ev” >
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Dear Gen, it is beautiful symbolically, and for the church itself, which appears to have withstood much of the fire. Blessings, Adrian
From: Reflections of God’s Love Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2019 09:30 To: advanbreda@gmail.com Subject: [Reflections of God’s Love] Comment: “Dying to live”
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Genevieve Geekie commented on Dying to live
Click here to listen to this 10-minute message. I am still reeling at the destruction of Notre Dame through the fire â¦
Astonishing (or is it?) that the crucifix shines out through the destruction, dear Adrian
Love
Gen
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