O, Death, Where is Thy Sting?
When I was in college, noon mass on Fridays was typically celebrated by Fr. James Albers (now Abbot). At the end of mass, we would always sing The Ultima, a Benedictine prayer asking Mary to intercede for us that we may have a happy death. Fr. James would always remind us to keep death before our eyes, not in a morbid sense, but to remember the hope and glory before us in eternal life with Jesus.
Those words have been on my mind a lot lately. Do you keep death before your eyes? Do you keep the end in mind, that you may not forget the goal of this earthly life?
I find that life has a way of reminding us what lies ahead.
This week has been a long one. After my grandma, Nonna, suffered a stroke, her health rapidly declined, death was before my eyes. I had the great gift of being able to spend time with her before she passed, praying chaplets and rosaries, and being present for the beautiful Last Rites of the Catholic Church.
Death is ever before us.
It’s a harsh reality to watch the decay of the human faculties. It’s painful to see that decline, knowing the finality of what is about to happen. But those words from 1 Corinthians 15:55 ring over and over in my heart, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” I know the victory has already been won. I know Jesus was raised from the dead. But why does death still hurt those who are left behind?
Because we still sit, waiting with tearful eyes and heavy hearts, at the empty tomb, feeling lost, alone, and empty because we have not yet seen the Risen One. We still live in this vale of tears where hope doesn’t always come easily and faith sometimes wavers.
The older I get (I know, I’m not that old yet), the more I come to know the reality of death and suffering, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others. But these constant reminders from life push me to remember and believe in my heart of hearts the truth that I’ve always been taught. Namely, that death has been overcome, Jesus is alive, and the cross is victorious. Death is not the final reality. Eternity with Jesus, unalloyed joy, fullness of life, and perfect love are our final realities.
Parting Thoughts
On this side of heaven, it is so incredibly difficult to let go and watch the march of time lead to its inevitable end. But I’m here to remind you (and myself) that we weren’t made for this life. We were made for the next.
And as a parting thought, I wanted to share with you the beautiful words of my great grandmother (Nonna’s mom), Rose Schmillen. She was clearly a poet at heart. She penned this letter the year before she was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 64, and I couldn’t help but revisit these words several times in the past week and now I’d like to share them with you:
And now, even as you, I am nearer my goal.
Rose M. Schmillen, 1960
I have lived fully, with sorrows and worries and tears,
but joys too nevertheless.
And now, I accept at His hands whatever
Kind of death it shall please Him to be mine.
And when I go, it is my wish that no one grieve or cry for me,
‘O Death, where is thy sting’?
For the soul will not rest until it meets its Maker.
It is the same natural process as being born,
It is even being born into a new world —
A transplanting from our temporary beginning to our eternal abode.
Then bury me deep, secure, safe at last in
The arms of Mother Earth.
My life wasn’t easy and when it is finished,
All I ask is that I may sit at the feet of my God……. and rest.
Amen.
Ora pro mia.
For prayer:
- Try praying some Lectio Divina.
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 slowly several times. Let it sink in.
- What word or phrase jumps out at you? Take a moment to pray with it. Journal about why it jumps out at you.
- Ask God what he’s trying to tell you through these words.
- Take some time to allow him to gaze upon you with love and speak to you from his heart.
Questions to reflect on:
- In what ways do you struggle with the reality of death? Why? What are you attached to on this earth?
- Where do you struggle with having hope and faith?
- How do you allow yourself to rest with Jesus here and now? Consider making a tangible resolution to do so in the coming week.