Good Wood

Embracing the struggle to become the best version of ourselves   

John 12:24-26  

Jesus said to his disciples: “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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”   

          I love how Matthew Kelly, the popular speaker and writer, describes personal growth. He calls it, “becoming the best version of yourself.” By the way, the reason he’s so popular is because he’s got this great Australian accent. What a great way to describe the journey of personal maturity – “becoming the best version of yourself.” But here’s the catch: it always involves some personal sacrifice, some struggle, and you could even say, a certain death to self. In other words, the “old you” must die before the “new you” can be born; that’s the only way you can become “the best version of yourself.”   

          Now, there is no better version of becoming the best version of yourself than the story of Pinocchio. He was originally created as a wooden puppet by Geppetto, but he always dreamed of being a real boy, that would be his “best version of himself.” He’s given that chance by the Blue Fairy, but who warns him, “Remember, a boy who won’t be good, might just as well be made of wood.” Thus begins his journey to boyhood. Pinocchio quickly learns, however, this is no cake-walk: he struggles with severe misfortune, he deals with deceptive enemies, and finally he gives his life trying to save his father from Monstro the whale. But notice that it is precisely at that moment, the moment of his death, that Pinocchio achieves the best version of himself, and the Blue Fairy rewards him with his dream to be a real boy. Pinocchio had to die to his “old self” before his “new self” could be born.   

          In the gospel today, Jesus insists that the same is true in the spiritual world: death precedes life, the old version of yourself must die before the best version of yourself can be born. Jesus says: “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.” In other words, only when we achieve the “best version of ourselves” will we be the most fruitful, the most productive and a real blessing to others. When Pinocchio died and became the best version of himself, he bore great fruit: not only in saving his father, but also in being an example for everyone who reads the story. Heck, he also helped me write this homily!   

          You know, as educators – whether teachers or coaches or staff – our job is to help each student achieve the best version of himself or herself. From when they arrive here in 7th grade till they leave in 9th grade, we try to help them strive for that best version. But don’t forget the catch: there are no short-cuts to personal growth and maturity. There will also be struggle, and sacrifice and death to self: football practice in August heat, showing all the steps of the geometry proofs, reading the whole AR book and not just the Cliff Notes version, being punctual at Mass and to class, eating balanced meals, and proper hygiene. “Remember: a Trinity student who won’t be good, might just as well be made of wood.”   

          But the same applies to us educators: we, too, are on the same journey of personal growth. That journey never ends in this life.  Don’t forget the old Latin maxim: “nemo dat quod non habet” – you cannot give what you do not have. Our words and our wisdom will ring hollow in the ears of our students if we have not vigorously pursued the best version of ourselves, too. We must practice what we preach. So, we can also say: “Remember, a Trinity teacher who won’t be good, might just as well be made of wood.”   

          Praised be Jesus Christ!