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| Hoosier United Methodist News |
April 2001 |
The Promise of Easter: Eternal Love
While death is a constant, it only touches a particular life in phases. There is a phase in which it is a distant reality. Touching only ever so slightly. Then, it comes closer but not enough to touch the pain place in one's life.
However, too soon perhaps, it becomes the occasional visitor -- unexpected and disruptive.
Then comes the time when death seems to linger, never far off, its presence becoming regular and painful.
Once academic or philosophical, death becomes existential -- personal, a recognition finally of one's own mortality. And with the years comes the understanding and acceptance of the inter-connected-ness of life. In John Donne's words:
"… any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind;
and therefore never seem to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
So, like you, I journey with the reality of death. It is inescapable. What ever one's status or position, successful or failure, rich or poor, learned or unlettered, no one evades it -- death is utterly democratic.
These days, it comes too frequently and too close. A beloved colleague faces death with courage, dignity and faith. A long-time presence of one who seemed a second mother, is no longer. A beloved professor, a pastor, a faithful layperson, a favorite entertainer, an admired athlete, a cousin, mentor, friend, public figure -- each death bringing its unique pain.
Then comes the death of our family pet, creatively named, "Dee O Gee." A good, gentle and loyal dog, finally loses the long battle with cancer. Perhaps only one who has ever lost a pet can appreciate and understand this death and its peculiar pain.
One is indeed diminished by the death of others, close and distant. The molding of a life is never solitary. There are always others, influencing, molding, shaping, impacting -- loving!
In this Easter season, Christians will recall and celebrate not the finality of life, but the promise of eternal life. But there is another promise of Easter -- eternal love!
"For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes
in him may not perish but may
have eternal life." John 3:16
God's love -- unutterable love, unchanging love, unconditional love -- will be remembered this Easter. The gift and power of love. In St. Paul's words,
"Love never ends." I Cor. 13:8
One inevitably recalls those no longer present at Easter; at least I do. In the singing of hymns and the Easter affirmation of eternal life, I shall give thanks for eternal love. Love not diminished by time, not even death. Love that does not require physical presence for its spiritual nurture. Love that grows with each day even in the absence of one loved. Love that has its special place marked -- forever … eternal.
I shall remember this Easter those special ones, loved so profoundly that not even time can erase their smile, or embrace; their caring, and gift to life; their loving.
As the Hallelujahs resound, I shall utter a silent prayer and give thanks to God for the promise of eternal life and eternal love. The promise of Easter.
Last updated January 14, 2004