Life is a gift, offered freely by God. It is a human tendency to take for granted the gift of life and all the blessings enshrined in it, particularly if one has not worked to receive them. Often, we forget that the gifts we now have are with us for a specific time and purpose. We might take life and the people we know for granted. It is death that reminds us that the people we love will not be here with us forever.
Richard Rohr says, “we only know what life is when we know what death is”.1 Therefore, it is in knowing and accepting the reality of death that we see the value and beauty inherent in our life and in the lives of people we are connected with. It is a poignant truth that the people we love will separate from us; who goes first, is not ours to know. So, as long as we live, we can honour our relationships and care for them.
It is through the eyes of death that we can discover what is true, genuine, and worthwhile in life. Death reminds us that life on earth is short, nevertheless, priceless. Artificial flowers, however nice and lasting, can never top the beauty and value of natural flowers, which are transient. We are here on this earth for a short while like ephemeral flowers and we need to recognise the beauty and value intrinsic in human life and relationship.
We need to celebrate life, however fleeting. In fact, it is the finitude of life on earth that makes it priceless. We can never purchase our life, or even add an extra second to it. It is a pure gift given by God. Each day is innately priceless and valuable.
Without keeping death within view, we can lose sight of the value of life. In fact, Saint Francis of Assisi embraced “Sister Death”. Death invites us to live each of our days with utmost reverence and joy.
Death is certain and real, life is fake..
ReplyDeleteTherefore let's try to live life to the fullest with utmost joy, gusto and nenewed vigour..
To face the reality of death is very difficult because life is so precious to us and we go on clinging to it. Only death teaches us to take life seriously. Thank God for the death.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the meaningful reflection .really death teach us to value our lives.
ReplyDeleteYes, looking at the sure door of death one can get inspired to live this beautiful life better!
ReplyDeleteThank you Father for expressing so beautifully the priceless gift of life and yes, even the gift of death. This was so thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and correct position on our lives. As someone who physically almost died almost 50 years ago, I felt the truth in this reading. Be not afraid sisters and brothers. God is with you and is real...be not afraid.
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