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Nov
Nov
Reflection John 14:1-6
Today we remember our dear deceased. We thank the Lord for the gift of all our dear ones who have gone ahead of us. For many people, the month of November, and not just today, is a time dedicated to the commemoration of all the faithful departed. We pray for them, for those who had the joy of knowing Christ and his Gospel and also those who were not enlightened by the light of Easter and lived without hope. We want our love to reach all the deceased. Every year, when this date arrives, the chest of memories is opened again. We remember the faces and names of all those people who have been linked to us. Some people live this moment with great sadness. They cannot bear the memory or the pain of separation. But for others this day is a reminder that we have ‘things to do and miles to go’ before we join the life our dear ones who have gone ahead of us. We thank God for those dear and near ones he has placed in our path and who have helped us to be who we are. The words of Jesus in the Gospel of John sustains our hope: “I am going to prepare a place for you.” It is not that we have to secure our “heavenly retirement” by our good way of life. For every human being Jesus has prepared a place with God. Therefore, death is not the end, but the beginning, the gateway to the fullness of life. The term ‘death’ has become a taboo, as sex once was taboo. Many people are even afraid to talk about death and do everything in their capacity to evade the certainty of death and always try to postpone their appointment with death. The most important aspect of their prayers to God and the saints has become asking for the favour so that their appointed time of death be delayed. Remember, Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus rebuked Jesus because he did not intercede for Lazarus when he was facing death and left him to die. Many times, we reproach God, and the saints, because they fail to intervene to protect the biological lives of our dear ones.