Daily Reflections ...

In the profound moments preceding his Passion, Jesus spoke with solemnity, foretelling the imminent glorification of the Son of Man. His words echoed with the weight of eternity, as he unveiled the transformative power of sacrifice. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain,” (Jn 12:24) he proclaimed, illuminating the path to abundant fruitfulness through the surrender of self.

Through his teaching, Jesus revealed the contradictory nature of true life—those who grip tightly to it will lose it, while those who renounce it for the sake of others will find eternal fulfillment. In these words, we find one of the essences of discipleship: to follow Christ is to embrace a life of self-denial and service, walking the path he stepped, even unto death.

As we reflect on today’s remembrance of Anzac Day, we are reminded of the sacrificial spirit woven into the fabric of our nation’s history. On the shores of Gallipoli, Australian and New Zealand soldiers showed the virtues of courage and selflessness, bearing witness to the profound truth articulated by Jesus centuries before.

Anzac Day beckons us to tribute not only the countless men and women who have served our country, but also to emulate their spirit of sacrifice in our own lives. Just as they laid down their lives for the greater good, so too are we called to imitate Christ in our willingness to embrace death and loss, trusting in the promise of a closer union with God.

By Ernesto Villalba