Often, think about a discussion that from time to time arises about old age. I have heard people who say things like: " I don't want to get old, I don't want to feel the pain of old age. I would rather go young". I always thought to myself that this was the wrong way of understanding the life cycle. More than the work that we do or the crafts that we take up while we are young, the greatest influence on the world that we leave is at our oldest age. My grandfather passed 20 years ago and from the day that he died there hasn't been a day in which I haven't spent at least 5 minutes thinking about him. The influence that that man had on me is beyond anything else, and it will guide me till my last day. Almost everyone I know has a person that has passed away, a grandmother or a grandfather, that they often think about and shape them. In a way, the dead live their fullest life through the kin that remembers them and is guided by them.
Scripture often exhorts us to really value the elderly and the wisdom they have gained over their lifetimes. One monstrous aspect of modernity is that we have all but forgotten our elderly and are content with shutting them up and out of sight in care homes.
This is one of your best pieces and I’m sorry for your losses. As someone who has experienced many personal deaths myself, most of your words resonate with me. Death is often equated with fear but I’ve always found the concept of death itself to be humbling; to make the most of our time here and live an honest and authentic life and cherish our loved ones in the here and now. Our time is limited but many tend to forget that.
Thank you, and good insights. In the book of Sirach, which is fresh on my mind after having read it, Ben Sira makes some comments on the value of a good name, and how while we may die, a good name lasts much longer. Something to consider.
By some twist of fate, I was relatively sheltered from death until I was in my 20s. My dad was orphaned in his teens and all of my great grandparents died before I was born as well. I've recently lost both of my maternal grandparents and have felt the weight of death a lot recently.
I like that though death is inevitable and ‘natural’, Christianity never really encourages us to try to be at home in our mortal condition. Death is seen as somewhat alien. I think that is true to who/what we are. At least I think that’s basically right.
For the Christian, death is an inevitable but temporary state. We will all die, but death does not have the final say. "Oh death where is your sting?" rings true in light of the resurrection. Nevertheless, our mortality is good to remember for many of the same reasons that Ben Sira outlines, which I didn't delve deeply into: it keeps our minds on the Last Things and on judgement, the account we must all give to God. If we live knowing we will die, we will live better.
Often, think about a discussion that from time to time arises about old age. I have heard people who say things like: " I don't want to get old, I don't want to feel the pain of old age. I would rather go young". I always thought to myself that this was the wrong way of understanding the life cycle. More than the work that we do or the crafts that we take up while we are young, the greatest influence on the world that we leave is at our oldest age. My grandfather passed 20 years ago and from the day that he died there hasn't been a day in which I haven't spent at least 5 minutes thinking about him. The influence that that man had on me is beyond anything else, and it will guide me till my last day. Almost everyone I know has a person that has passed away, a grandmother or a grandfather, that they often think about and shape them. In a way, the dead live their fullest life through the kin that remembers them and is guided by them.
Scripture often exhorts us to really value the elderly and the wisdom they have gained over their lifetimes. One monstrous aspect of modernity is that we have all but forgotten our elderly and are content with shutting them up and out of sight in care homes.
This is one of your best pieces and I’m sorry for your losses. As someone who has experienced many personal deaths myself, most of your words resonate with me. Death is often equated with fear but I’ve always found the concept of death itself to be humbling; to make the most of our time here and live an honest and authentic life and cherish our loved ones in the here and now. Our time is limited but many tend to forget that.
Thank you, and good insights. In the book of Sirach, which is fresh on my mind after having read it, Ben Sira makes some comments on the value of a good name, and how while we may die, a good name lasts much longer. Something to consider.
Beautiful, brother.
By some twist of fate, I was relatively sheltered from death until I was in my 20s. My dad was orphaned in his teens and all of my great grandparents died before I was born as well. I've recently lost both of my maternal grandparents and have felt the weight of death a lot recently.
Thanks for writing this.
Sorry to hear that. It's never easy no matter when it happens. I am glad you found this meaningful
I like that though death is inevitable and ‘natural’, Christianity never really encourages us to try to be at home in our mortal condition. Death is seen as somewhat alien. I think that is true to who/what we are. At least I think that’s basically right.
For the Christian, death is an inevitable but temporary state. We will all die, but death does not have the final say. "Oh death where is your sting?" rings true in light of the resurrection. Nevertheless, our mortality is good to remember for many of the same reasons that Ben Sira outlines, which I didn't delve deeply into: it keeps our minds on the Last Things and on judgement, the account we must all give to God. If we live knowing we will die, we will live better.
And sorry to hear about your dog. If I were more capable of solidarity, I would have said that first. Please forgive that.
No worries
What a title. Great short essay, thank you for putting this memento mori before my eyes.
Thank you, and I'm glad you liked the title, I was unsure how well it fit.
Great read, made my eyes leak but I have a stupidly soft heart. God bless
Thank you, that means a lot. Peace be with you!