Some years ago, a Rabbi friend of mine told me a story about his six your old daughter Pamela. One day he happened to see Pamela in her room looking out at nature from her window. He heard her sobbing. Thinking that something bad happened to her, he asked her why she was so sad? Wiping tears from her eye she responded: “Why does everything so beautiful have to die?” Here was this girl who even at a young age realized the limited time on earth all living creatures have. She was already feeling grief just by looking at the flowers and trees which she understood would one day have to die. Isn’t it true that we don’t like to think about death let alone talk about it? It seems like such a negative and fearful topic that can bring even grown people to tears. Lent is a great time of the year to think about death. We know that one day each one of us will have to say good-bye to this life. The hardest thing to do will be to say good-bye to our loved ones. Lent gives us perspective. We have no control over how long we will live. Sometimes we think we do have such control by using denial and ignoring our limited time on earth. God knew that this would be our state created by our original sin. But being the Good Father that He is, God sent us hope. Listen to three statements God has made in today’s readings: “O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them…” (Ezekiel); “If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also… (Romans); “Our friend Lazarus in not dead, he is asleep, but I (Jesus) am going to awaken him.” (St. John) These are all sacred words from the Bible. They are part of the revelation that God has given to us. Jesus made this revelation real, when after He was crucified, died and was buried, He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. This is our story as well, as Jesus has prepared a place for each of us. So, let’s not be fearful and trust in God’s great plan for us in eternity.

                                                                           ~ Fr. John

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14 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03103
Phone: (603) 622-5445

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