At the beginning of Lent, when I prayed for four words to meditate on, I was surprised to have been given the word ‘death’. Fast forward to now, COVID-19 has put the entire world on halt, forced everyone into quarantine, and taken many lives, young and old. We are reminded that death does not discriminate and that anyone could fall victim to this pandemic.
Death is a touchy subject, whether it’s physical or spiritual. And although physical death can be measured by body count, spiritual death cannot. It goes unseen, but is most certainly felt by many. This might be due to a number of reasons: being unable to celebrate the Mass with the rest of our church, being stricken immobile by fear, or becoming victim to negative thoughts and emotions.
It is easy to lose sight of our spiritual selves when the world is in turmoil. It is easy to succumb to temptations to ease our worried hearts. It is easy to drift farther away from God than grow closer to Him. I know I am guilty of that this Lent. However, it can be just as easy to look at God, see His outstretched arms, and run back towards Him. Once there, He shall shout in joy that His child, who had been dead has now come back to life.
Praying while keeping the word and idea of death in mind, I am reminded of the phrase memento mori. I am reminded that death is inevitable. Sounds pretty depressing, right? But, I am also reminded that at the end of death, there is also eternal life. That is what we are striving for this Lent. That is what I want to strive for, as I make my way back to Him. We might become lost, maybe more than usual during this particular Lenten season, but we always have the opportunity to return back to Him. We will always have the chance to gain eternal life.
But we cannot even attempt to gain eternal life if we continue to choose the world instead.
Next week, we will enter Holy Week. We will hear, once more, of how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We will celebrate the Easter Triduum in our homes, to remain safe from this pandemic that has already taken so many lives. But if we are to learn anything—if I have been reminded of anything, it is this: death is inevitable. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stop living. We are put on this earth, on this physical journey, to help build His kingdom here on earth. In the face of this pandemic, in the face of death, let us continue to do just that. Let us continue to be messengers, to be priests, prophets, and kings. Let us remember that even if we are physically apart, we are still connected as one body, as one holy, Catholic, and apostolic church. And may all that we do, be done in love.
Do not let fear control you brothers and sisters. Do not let death scare you. Continue to be an example and outpouring of love, just as you’ve always been.
Sincerely, a fellow Catholic striving for eternal life.
Night Owl Thoughts 