All that Dies Shall Return to Life

BY ERNEST MWAPE

A  person whose fate has been generous may not have great difficulties in accepting the idea that life is a gift. But a person whose life has been marked mostly by suffering might say that life is as priceless as a precious diamond.

Catholics observed the back-to-back feasts of All Saints and All Souls with visits to the cemetery and prayers for family and friends who have died. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

In my few experiences of being faced with the mystery of death, I have always pondered these questions: Can people accept the idea that life is a gift if they are left feeling empty by the death of another person? And is there any possibility to see beauty in the death of someone?

According to our faith, anything that dies comes to life again, and life is closely connected to death. So death is a gift that detaches us from our mortal bodies and unites us with our Creator. For most of those who do not believe in God, death is the end.

I saw the beauty of death in the eyes of my grandmother. As she was about to die, she whispered gently to all of us as who were standing with her at her deathbed: I have seen the beauty of life, I have grown weary witnessing all the seasons coming and going, but I don’t regret any of it, for I have run a good race, and I am dying a winner.

I saw in her eyes that she was ready to go and experience life in another world. To me, her death was like a mustard seed that is sowed in a field in the hope of sprouting new life again a life that cant be described in words.

Of course, death is a painful experience and a mystery. But my faith assures me that there is everlasting life after death. Therefore I am not afraid to embrace the pain of death, when that time arrives.

I seek to emulate my grandmother, who lived life to the full and saw life applauding all her efforts, both good and bad.

So when someone dies, I give thanks to God, for anything that is born or created out of him dies and is brought back to life, in his own time and space.

When we grieve, we must know that death is followed by life.

Ernest Mwape is a Dominican novice.