To read the tribute to SFC Marcus Muralles, please click here
Saturday, April 02, 2005
The Lord of the Dance
Karol Jozef Wojtyla, the man who is more famously known as Pope John Paul II, has passed away. There will be tears of grief as more than a billion people mourn the loss of their spiritual leader.
But, is it a time for grief? Or a time for joy? A person's death, every person's death, should be a time of celebration, taking stock of his or her life, basking in the love and joy that they gave to those around them, and, depending on your religious belief, rejoicing in where they will spend eternity. Yes, it will be a bittersweet celebration- we cannot help but mourn our own loss. That is human nature. But, in that grief, I would pray that we can look beyond that.
When I heard of the Pope's passing, this was the first thing that came to my mind. Take away from it what you will.
But, is it a time for grief? Or a time for joy? A person's death, every person's death, should be a time of celebration, taking stock of his or her life, basking in the love and joy that they gave to those around them, and, depending on your religious belief, rejoicing in where they will spend eternity. Yes, it will be a bittersweet celebration- we cannot help but mourn our own loss. That is human nature. But, in that grief, I would pray that we can look beyond that.
When I heard of the Pope's passing, this was the first thing that came to my mind. Take away from it what you will.
By you my mourning is turned into dancing; you have taken away my clothing of grief, and given me robes of joy. (Ps 30:11)
