“Oh how wrong we were to think immortality meant never dying.” ~ Gerard Way
In the past month at our parish, we have buried many people. Some quite young, some quite advanced in age, and the rest somewhere in the middle. They all had one thing in common, of course: they had seen the end of their days here on earth.
History will tell of the many ways that people have tried to cheat death. There have been those who have searched for the fountain of youth or a medical elixir that could provide the same. There are others who have proposed a certain way of living in order to eke out as many days as possible. There are still others who believe that there are surgical or genetic possibilities to prolonging life. Some still believe that there will come a day when we can postpone the process of death indefinitely.
If and when the day arrives that they find “the cure” for death, you will not, I repeat, not, find me standing in line. Do not get me wrong. I long for immortality just like the vast majority of people. However, I have come to know that immortality is not of this world. Immortality comes when we shed these mortal and corruptible bodies and enter into eternal life.
Instead of looking for ways to prolong life as much as possible, we should be more concerned about living our lives — for as long or as short as they may be — as completely as possible. We should be concerned about loving others from the very depths of our being. We should be concerned about the quality of our relationships with others since they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should be devoted to making the lives of others as good as possible, not as long as possible.
I have said it so many times; but, it bears being repeated again: this world is not our goal. This world is just the place we live in while we wait for our goal, eternity with God.
Mourn the dead, yes. There is nothing wrong with that. It is a reflection of our love for them and of the fact that we miss them dearly. However, do not begrudge the dead a moment of their immortality. Their journey here on earth has ended. Our journey to the Kingdom continues.
FAITH ACTION: Call to mind family and friends who have passed away, say a prayer for them and remember them fondly. Pray, as well, for all who will die this day, that they may be ready to meet their creator.