the truth about death
"I solemnly assure you, the man who hears My word and has faith in Him Who sent Me possesses eternal life." —John 5:24
We have been given the greatest treasure: eternal life in Jesus, Who is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25), our Lord, Savior, and God. Because we have been given the greatest treasure — eternal life through faith — we have the greatest responsibility. "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him" (Lk 12:48).
If we love people, we must tell those in our culture of death that death has lost its power (see Rm 6:9), victory, and sting (1 Cor 15:54-55). Jesus promised: "I solemnly assure you, an hour is coming, has indeed come, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have heeded it shall live" (Jn 5:25). People no longer need be enslaved by the fear of death (Heb 2:15), "for an hour is coming in which all those in their tombs shall hear His voice and come forth" (Jn 5:28). This is the greatest news, and in love we must shout from the housetops (Mt 10:27) that Jesus' name is above every name, even the name of death (see Phil 2:9).
This Easter, let us renew our baptismal promises and be witnesses for the risen Christ (Acts 1:8). Walking in faith (2 Cor 5:7) and compelled by love (2 Cor 5:14), let us share the greatest treasure with a spiritually impoverished world. Jesus is risen! We can rise in Him! "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54). Proclaim the greatest news!
Prayer: Father, may I be willing to die so that others may live with You forever.
Promise: "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." —Is 49:15
Praise: Clare witnessed to many people of God's loving Presence in the months before she died of cancer.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 18, 2000