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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better." (Philippians 1:21)
How do we face death?
The four important things to be always remembered are death, judgement, heaven,
and hell. Death is a reality and everybody should go through it. How do we face
death is the question to be answered. Now mercy killing (medically assisted) is
an universally welcomed method to die. Any method is accepted provided there is
no eternity. If there is eternity, we have to wait for the time when only the
Creator can take our souls, and not human beings. There is a judgement of
justice for all our deeds on earth and an untenable separation into eternal
light or eternal darkness (heaven and hell). "It's appointed for to die once,
and after that comes judgement" (Hebrews 9:27). Death is still an enemy, is a
defeated foe and can be faced with confidence, even with joy as St Paul wished
-"dying is even better." Attitude and perception towards death is important. If
that is rooted in eternity, then all our problems become no problems at all.
Life becomes a smooth sailing boat even in turbulent waters to the way to
eternity by the captain, Jesus. This education should be imparted to the
generations through the word of God. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a
light for my path" (Psalm 119:105) - a culture of eternity and bliss!
Once when Billy Graham was addressing the students of the University of
California, there was boos and cat calls. Suddenly, there was complete silence
when he started to tell the story of a student. She had been in a terrible
accident and had her mother next to her in her last moments. She told her
mother, "Mother, you taught me everything, including how to get by in college.
You taught me to light my cigarette, how to hold my cocktail glass, and even how
to have intercourse safely. But mother, you never taught me how to die, you
better teach me quickly, mother, because I'm dying." "Think about the things of
heaven not the things on earth" (Colossians 3:2).,
Don't forget to give spiritual food to our children through our way of life of
eternity, prayers, daily Bible readings, and Bible study.
Jesus, let our minds focus on the eternal bliss of your presence through the Holy Spirit. Let everybody have a peaceful end. We pray for the parents and teachers who are in the field of spiritual education and struggle to impart your knowledge to the modern generation. Let them get the power to overcome the hurdles they face. All we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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