par·a·dox
In Matthew Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be greatest, should be everyone's servant.” Mark records: “Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last.”
~ Jesus. Luke adds, Jesus saying: “Whoever tries to keep their lives will lose it, and whoever loses their lives will keep it.” In one epistle Paul chimes in writing: “When we are weak we are strong.”
Familiar, strong and insightful verses.
par·a·dox. How would you define the word? Maybe like this: A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
Consider these simple paradoxical phrases that have crept into our language: Save money by spending it; If I know one thing, it's that I know nothing; This is the beginning of the end; Deep down, you're really shallow. Or this from Robert Frost, "Men work together whether they work together or apart."
The Bible, in its literary magic, uses paradox at times to explore the full scope and nuance of truth. Great dogmas of the church are almost always totally paradoxical: Jesus is human and divine; Mary is virgin and mother; God is one and three. The Eucharist is the bread of life - Jesus. Think about it. Jesus is the very template of a total paradox: human yet divine; physical yet spiritual, killed yet alive; seemingly powerless yet awfully powerful.
Each of these paradoxes is meant to contrast an earthly view with a heavenly view. There is a difference between our material situation and our spiritual reality, although we experience both at the same time.
The use of paradox in the Bible is startling at times, but it reveals a deep spiritual richness and beauty. Paradox causes us to take time to reflect on the meaning of certain passages and investigate the truth, which is sometimes complex. A Sunday Thought...#pkes
