I’ve been starting to think more about death recently and I’m not sure it’s just Fall and the onslaught of Halloween decorations or even the upcoming end of year readings before Advent.
The more time I spend studying and centering on God the more I am understanding that our life is a preparation for our moment of death. My confirmation saint, Saint Therese’s, Feast Day was not too long ago and I read her final words and the joy and anticipation she had for death while still willing to reside on earth longer if it was God’s will.
Death has always been something that felt scary but as I grew older it was something that was scary more because it was unknown and meant a loss of my loved ones and the way of life I know. Now I know there’s a privilege there which is that I’ve lived a good life and have a lot to be thankful for that I would miss.
In that manner, I resonate with the rich young man in the Bible who Jesus encounters (Mark 10:17) and who is following the rules but is not able to give up his “great possessions.” I’d always focused on the conclusion about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God but this verse struck me this time.
“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:24 (RSVCE)
It’s not necessarily because the man is rich that heaven is difficult, but that he trusts in riches. Our pastor mentioned that because the man is a young man it also tells us that he has a lot to look forward in life as it was rare for someone younger to have these riches, and must have been very successful in business to attain this wealth at such an age. He would have expended a lot of time, energy, personal investment, and personal cost to get there. He’s not simply asked to give away things, but also his life’s work and efforts for something unknown. Had he truly seen who Jesus was, I pray he would have left it all without looking back!
Jesus, who loved him, looked into his heart and knew that his riches would prevent him from being able to give his life totally to God. That is the hindrance of riches. And that desire to preserve riches is one that can deny or divert our attention from focusing on the ultimate epitome of this life which is the entrance into heaven with Him one day (God willing!).
The Martyrs, rich and poor, young and old, knew, lived, and died this truth. As I read more about their lives my thinking on death is changing for the positive, I’m inspired by their lives of dedication to the poor and helpless, refusal to submit to the will of earthly rulers who would ask that they deny their God, and courage despite the pain and ultimately death inflicted upon them.
So I’m working on an internal PR campaign about death. It truly is a final rest and for those who have given their lives to Jesus it will be the culmination of a life that can be presented as a gift to Him.
I like to imagine my life as a tapestry with different colors woven to show good times and bad times but ultimately the golden thread of God is always present and woven and hopefully I shine more brilliantly with it after hardships and as my life goes on.
Let us pray:
Father God, I love you. Help me to love you above all things and give me the strength to follow you and leave behind whatever keeps me from you. Take my desires and my passions and guide them towards the building of your kingdom on earth.
Thank you for willing my creation and gifting every second thereafter.
Thank you for allowing me to grow, and for the ailments I have and the ailments I do not have.
Thank you for animating the dust I am to be.