Friends, the foliage is starting to “pop,” its brilliant hues soon ushering-in winter’s chill. In this season we especially consider what the Church calls “End Things.” But actually death and dying are “Beginning Things,” aren’t they?
Seen through the prism of faith, our inevitable demise is an entryway into eternal life (!) as long as we are in a state of sanctifying grace. Most of us Catholics believe this, but do we live in a way that reflects the belief?
For example, sometimes I worry about the silliest things, including possessions, which I know are strictly temporary. They are things “I can never take with me” when I die. Other times, I briefly fret about some people’s comments/behaviors I know won’t mean a tinker’s darn to me in the next realm. So why do I do it? Perhaps for the same reason I deeply profess faith in Heaven, yet often dread the thought of someone I love dying!
We cling to this earthly life. It is largely all we know. We have a natural fear of “the unknown,” which feeds into worries about losing folks we care about, or of facing debilitating illness, or of inadequately providing for our retirement — or you name it.
As Christians, though, we should believe Christ knows the answers we don’t! What is more, He is truly with us! We never confront our worries alone!
What should our response be? We should do our level-best, and then confidently give our cares to God, who loves us infinitely, unconditionally! If we let Him, He even helps us look at our cares in fresh hopeful ways. This assurance includes those “End Things” that — Remember! — are really “Beginning Things.”
Jesus Christ makes all things NEW!
