A free-verse poetic meditation on life-in-this-world’s inexorable end and Christianity’s resurrection-promise
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There is this innocence of the life of the living: Many cannot, perhaps will not or dare not contemplate being not.
Yet life this truth reveals – in manifold ways, among them – in poignant memories of times past and loves lost, in moistened eyes of mourning for the dying and the dead, in the whispered aching of aged, ailing lips for the release of holy rest from declining, detaining flesh: In the midst of life, we are in death.[1]
Deeply, dearly mindful of this reality, the Apostle Paul speaks to all: “If our earthly tent inhabiting is destroyed, we, God assuring, have a heavenly dwelling. Thus, by faith, not yet seeing, in this world groaning, we live longing to be adorned with clothing everlasting.”[2]
And, to this, I say: Amen.
© 2021 PRA
[1] In the midst of life, we are in death (a translation of the Latin, Media vita in morte sumus; the first line of a Gregorian chant), The Book of Common Prayer, Burial of the Dead: Rite Two, page 492
[2] 2 Corinthians 5.1-2, 4a, 5, 7 (my paraphrase)
#wewalkbyfaithnotsight #theinexorabilityofdeath #beingandnonbeing #materialbodyspiritualbody #apostolicteaching
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
Wow Paul!! Clothing everlasting!! I wonder what that would look like!! Living life leads to death and for me, I try to honor those who have gone before me by living a life that can make the world better for those of us still here. I don’t know how successful I’ve been but I love focusing on those who live their lives in a positive manner.
Amen and Much love!
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“I don’t know how successful I’ve been but I love focusing on those who live their lives in a positive manner.”
Ah, my beloved sister, as you love giving attention to positivity that is what I call an aspect of faithfulness, which is far, far better than successfulness. Or, perhaps, faithfulness is successfulness!
Love
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