As a result of Original Sin all are destined to die one day. As Saint Paul reminds us: “The wages of sin is death.” However, reactions to and understanding of the reality of death differ from person to person.
ATHEIST. For an atheist, who categorically denies the existence of God, death is the last word and there is nothing beyond the grave. Sartre and other existential atheists perceive life as absurd and without any true meaning. Saint Paul states that if there is nothing beyond the grave we might as well eat, drink, be merry and live it up.
AGNOSTIC. This individual does not accept the existence of God, but neither does he deny it. He lives in a perpetual state of uncertainty; you might even call it a philosophical limbo. Maybe there is a God, but maybe there is not. Such a person is, using the example of Jesus, like the person who has built his house not on rock but upon sand. The stormy winds of cultural change blow him in one direction and the other like a leaf driven by the wind.
HEDONIST. The end purpose of his life is pleasure, to maximize pleasure in all times, places and circumstances. The Hedonist fears death because that will bring an end to his life of pleasure. Saint Paul describes this person as having his stomach as his god.
SCIENTIFIC RATIONALIST. He establishes his life only on what can be seen, heard, touched, smelled, tasted, and measured. If not materially measurable, then there is no reason to give any credence to it. Of course this view is diametrically opposed to a vision of faith—which means believing even though one may not see. Jesus gently rebuked Saint Thomas the Apostle: “Blessed are those who believe without having seen.”
REINCARNATIONIST. Then there is the person who embraces a vision of reincarnation. He believes in the “Wheel of Existence”. One is born, lives, dies and then returns to life on earth having been transformed into another form of existence.
The five above-mentioned philosophical systems or viewpoints are diametrically opposed to the Christian view of death and its meaning. A Christian believes firmly in the PASCHAL MYSTERY. Explanation? Only the Person, Incarnation, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus give true meaning to human existence and most especially to the reality of death, a reality that all of us must encounter and experience as the sun goes down in our mortal lives.
PASCHAL MYSTERY EXPLAINED. Death came into the world due to the sin of our first parents—Adam and Eve. However, Jesus the Lord conquered death. This is the essence and meaning of the Paschal Mystery. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified and died on the cross; He was buried the same day. He spent all of the following day, Holy Saturday, in the tomb. Then early the next day, the first day of the week, Sunday, the stone was rolled away from the entrance to the tomb where Jesus was buried and He rose from the dead. Jesus, who was crucified and died, truly rose from the dead and He will never die again! As the Church acclaims in Holy Mass after the double consecration: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”
THE GATES OF HEAVEN ARE OPENED. The consequences of Jesus rising from the dead are nothing less than monumental! The whole of the universe and man’s plight on earth are radically changed due to the Paschal Mystery—the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Indeed, the Paschal Mystery gives true meaning to our life as well as our death.
FULTON SHEEN AND THE WOMAN LEPER AND THE PASHCAL MYSTERY. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen relates an experience that he had while visiting a leper colony. He met a woman who was basically devoured by the plague of leprosy. Her fingers, hands, feet as well as legs were devoured by the leprosy. However, the woman had an enormous smile from ear to ear as she exclaimed: “But there is a Resurrection, there is a Resurrection, there is a Resurrection!” In other words, this woman leper understood that one day her body would die as a consequence of the sin of our first parents. However, above and beyond the reality of death and the grave is the PASCHAL MYSTERY. Jesus suffered, died and was buried, but on the third day He triumphantly rose from the dead, never to die again. This woman leper understood that within a relatively short time her life would terminate in death, but that Jesus promised her eternal life. Jesus promised eternal life to those who really believe in Him, walk with Him and obey His commandments.
THE PASCHAL MYSTERY AND OUR LIVES. Like the woman leper, we too one day will have to encounter the reality of death. However, death is not the last word, rather the last word is that Jesus truly rose from the dead! At the Last Supper Jesus expressed these most consoling words: “I am going now to prepare a place for you so that where I am you also might be. In my Father’s house there are many mansions.” Jesus has already prepared a place for you and for me in heaven. This is our ultimate and eternal destiny.
Let us conclude with three short counsels to help us to arrive safely at our eternal destiny.
- IMITATE THE SAINTS. Try to live each day of your life as if it were your last; indeed, it could be! None of us are sure if we will live beyond this very day. Saint Alberto Hurtado, S.J. stated: “There are two places to rest: the cemetery and heaven.” Saint Paul reminds us: “Work out your salvation in fear and trembling.”
- DO NOT PUT OFF YOUR CONVERSION. The first preaching of Jesus was: “Be converted because the Kingdom of God is at hand.” This was also the teaching of Saint John the Baptist, and the first Pope—Saint Peter. Now is the day for conversion, not tomorrow!
- TURN TO MARY. She experienced the death of the two that she love most: Joseph, her husband, and Jesus her only Son. However, at the end of her life, Mary was taken up to heaven body and soul through her Assumption. Let us get into the habit of praying the most Holy Rosary. Indeed, every time we pray this prayer that is so pleasing to the Heart of Mary, we are preparing ourselves for death, fifty times! That’s right: fifty times! We say these words to Mary for a holy and happy death: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.
