destroying death (1 cor 15:26)
“You make an end of them in their sleep.” —Psalm 90:5
The author of Ecclesiastes, living centuries before the revelation of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25), is naturally pessimistic about life. For example, he goes on and on about growing old. Then he speaks of death in six ways. Death is like going home, a snapped cord, a broken bowl, a shattered pitcher, a pulley fallen into a well, and dust returning to earth (Eccl 12:5-7). It isn’t enough for him to say that we will die. He seems obligated to belabor the point.
Death, for the author of Ecclesiastes, almost ruins life. Death has a deadly sting; it is seemingly victorious over life (cf 1 Cor 15:55). Because of the overshadowing influence of death, we are tempted to trivialize life by eating and drinking, for tomorrow we die (1 Cor 15:32; Wis 2:5-6ff). Living for pleasure makes us slaves — slaves of sin through fear of death our whole lives long (Heb 2:15). Because of death, we are tempted to give “allegiance to the present age and to the prince of the air, that spirit who is even now at work among the rebellious. All of us were once of their company; we lived at the level of the flesh, following every whim and fancy, and so by nature deserved God’s wrath like the rest” (Eph 2:2-3). The fear of death can turn our lives into living deaths (see 1 Jn 3:14).
The only way to de-fang death is to believe in and live totally for Jesus, “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25). Jesus alone holds “the keys of death” (Rv 1:18). In Jesus, “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:54). Praise Jesus forever!
Prayer: Father, may my dying day be the happiest day of my life.
Promise: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” —Ps 90:12
Praise: St. Lawrence Ruiz and his companions were martyred in a most horrendous way. They would not renounce their faith.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 22, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.