24 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. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. (John 12:24-26)
PARADOXES
Life is full of paradoxes. This is the theme of the special gospel that we read today on the feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr. Known for his youth, evangelical love for the poor, and courage before his torturers, this deacon was said to be martyred by burning at the gridiron. They said that while he was burning, he told his executioners: “It is now time to turn me for one side is already cooked.” It is most probable this this was not historically accurate, but what is more important than the event is the meaning, that Lawrence gradually gave his life for Christ.
Lawrence embodied the grain of wheat that falls to the earth that Jesus speaks of. Through the death of Lawrence and other martyrs, many are edified and become better Christians. Through their death, Christians do not diminish. On the other hand, they increase in both quantity and quality. This is the paradox presented by Jesus that we paraphrase thus: if the grain falls and dies, it bears much fruit; if you love your life, you lose it; if you hate your life in this world, you preserve it forever; if you serve Christ, you become his follower and you’ll be honored by God.
Life is full of paradoxes. The things that give us the greatest joy are those that are born through pain. The birth pangs experienced by a mother brings forth new life; the toil of labor brings forth wealth; the pain of exercise brings forth good health.
In other words, life is full of pleasant surprises and only if we go through do we see these surprises unfolding before us. The martyrdom of Lawrence places us in this perspective. That glory which we hope for can be reached only through the way of death and pain. For us, perhaps not through a martyr’s death, but by our daily struggles, our daily dying—difficulties that we experience now and then, but those that nevertheless bring us true joy.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Do I find examples of courage and martyrdom in this generation where I belong? among the people in my community or in my work?
2. What should die in me so that I may bear fruit?
Lord, grant me the courage to face the difficulties in this life and the joy to see its surprises.
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