Every human being by nature has the desire to avoid death and live forever. Therefore, like the apostles, we are tempted to panic when our lives are threatened (see Mk 4:38). On the other hand, every human being has other natural desires, such as to avoid pain, be free from slavery, be respected, feel good about oneself, etc. At some points in our lives, the only way we can be freed from pain, addiction, imprisonment, disgrace, or self-hatred is to die. Therefore, some of our desires require that we escape from intolerable circumstances by death, despite our natural, great, and humanly unfulfillable desire to live. The human person has contradictory desires deep within.

Jesus alone is the Answer to the human dilemma. Jesus has died in our place, and we, without physically dying, get the benefits of dying (see 2 Cor 5:14). Jesus also has risen from the dead and has promised to raise us from the dead to live with Him forever (see 2 Cor 5:15). Jesus is our Life (Jn 14:6; Phil 1:21).

Once we realize what Jesus has done for us, we decide to thank Him by living no longer for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor 5:15). We look at life, Jesus, and everyone else differently (2 Cor 5:16). In Christ, we are new creations (2 Cor 5:17). "All is new" (2 Cor 5:17).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, November 12, 1996

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 1996