It is said that life is a paradox. Five examples:

• First, the more you try to impress people, the less people will be impressed
• Second, the more you fail, the more likely you will succeed
• Third, the more you are afraid of death, the less you will enjoy life
• Fourth, the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know in life
• Fifth, the more honest you are with your faults, the more people will feel that you are perfect

In the Gospel, Jesus gives three paradoxes of life as well:

• It is only when wheat dies that it produces much fruit. It is a reminder that death and life go together. It is only when the seed dies that the nutrients are unlocked to make way for life. From the smallest of all seeds to the biggest of all trees, bearing fruit 30 fold, 60 fold, and 100 fold.
• Whoever loves his life loses it. This is a reminder that everything is passing and fleeting in this world. Hence we should not put our security in this world. Instead, we should put our security in God as he does not change.
• Whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. This is a reminder that we came into this world with nothing and we are leaving this world with nothing. Hence, those who know how to give, share, and serve, are those who are very willing to let go of their time, talent, and treasure only to gain eternal life.

Let us continue to live out a life that is full of paradoxes. One of the greatest paradoxes came from St. Mother Teresa:

“That is you love until it hurts; there can be no more hurt, only love.”