Death does not take a holiday!

The old adage that two things are certain; taxes and death. The reality of death becomes the one truth that entered the world of humanity when sin became the only enemy of God that had to be eradicated in order to save his creation of humanity.

This may seem to be an endless ride on a merry-go-round that never stops and there is no prize for hanging on. There is only one way to find relief from the pain of facing death. It is the virtue of faith which brings about the grace of God. Through grace we receive more than blessings, we become attached to God in a manner we could never establish ourselves to invent. So much is said regarding the grace of God that it should manifest itself within the depth of our finiteness.

If our faith is strong enough we will welcome the very onset of what death is all about. Too often we might fear what death means to unbelievers, but even those of us who trust in the Word of God’s promise of new life beyond the grave, there still will be a certain trembling when our life is closing from the existence of earthly life. St. Paul didn’t want to die, however he said, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, although we are always courageous, although we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith , and not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.” (2 Cor 5: 6 - 8).

With a grin we may not worry about taxes, although the IRS might have a different view. But to know that we shall have the final laugh when we depart this earthly life and find it wasn;t really death but a step across from this dimension, if we can call it that, into a realm of peace and understanding about what Christ suffered to hand on to you and I which is eternal life.

“It is in regard to death that man's condition is most shrouded in doubt.” In a sense bodily death is natural, but for faith it is in fact “the wages of sin.” For those who die in Christ’s grace it is a participation in the death of the Lord, so that they can also share his Resurrection.” (CCC 1006).

The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of death. In the ancient litany of the saints, for instance, she has us pray: “From a sudden and unforeseen death, deliver us O Lord;” to ask the Mother of God to intercede for us at the hour of our death” in the Hail Mary ; and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death. (CCC 1014).

The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ’s words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, deals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance. (CCC 1020).

With the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, we were all reminded that popes are just like his charge, the Catholics of the world. Please pray for him!

Ralph B. Hathaway