The American Essayist and Editor of the Saturday Review, Norman Cousins, used to say: “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside use while we live”. How wise was he!

Oftentimes we tend to hold a very negative view of loss. Fortunately Jesus gives us a completely realistic and positive idea of it. In loss there is gain. In fact he tells us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn 12, 24).

From our loses we gain much fruit. I would say abundant good fruit! Saint Basil the Great, the famous bishop of Caesarea , a Cappadocian Father, Doctor of the Church, and brother of Saint Gregory of Nyssa said: “Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account you will find that some comfort is to be derived from them”.

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann