Faith in the Face of Farewell
Intro: Our faith helps us to comprehend our death.
Scripture:
Job 19:1,
Job 19:23-27,
1 Corinthians 15:20-23,
John 12:23-26.
Reflection
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We all encounter death. But we avoid talking about it. I know that it is a serious subject to discuss when we live.
Death is a transformation from one life to the next. It is the understanding of our faith. However, it can be very hollow when we are on the deathbed.
Yes, we are frightened to die. It is a sad story to imagine. As human beings, we need to be afraid of the unknown. It is genuine. It does not reduce our faith.
At the same time, our faith helps us to comprehend our death. Jesus cried when he heard Lazarus's death, even though he knew that he would raise him. This event gives us hope in the face of death. It brings grief, sadness, and uncertainty, but it gives us.
However, our faith comes for our aid in the face of death. We find hope. We rejoice in the resurrection. This is our Christian faith. Even though it does not remove the pain of losing someone or our own mortality.
Reflecting on death does not make us worried about our present life. Instead, it can be a powerful motivator to live the present moment here and now, causing our eye to be on eternal life.
It is easy to push death to the margins with all our medical advancements in today's world. However, we all have to face the death. The Christian approach is finding dignity and acceptance when the time comes to die. It is about easing pain, providing comfort, and trusting in God's timing.
This is where practices like palliative care and the sacrament of anointing the sick come in. They are not about giving up; they are about embracing our journey with grace and faith. The Last Rites, far from being a scary end, can be a beautiful moment of final blessing and reconciliation.
In the end, our Christian faith does not remove the sting of death. But it does give us a roadmap for the journey and a hopeful destination. It reminds us that every life, no matter how long or short, has meaning in God's eyes. It offers us rituals and communities to help us process our loss and find meaning in our pain.
We are all in this together, walking each other home. And while that walk can be difficult and painful, our faith tells us that it leads to something beautiful beyond our imagining. It's okay to be scared, to grieve, to question. But know that you're not alone on this journey. Your life, with all its joys and sorrows, is part of a bigger story—one that doesn't end with death but continues into eternity.
May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen...
