October 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The Feast of the Cross reminds us of the overarching reality of life, that we, and everything in this created order, are impermanent. Everything and everyone is passing away and there is not one thing that we can do about it.
The fear of death runs like a river just beneath our conscious life. Every cold, every disappointment, every goodbye, every broken relationship are little deaths and reminders that try as we might we must all face the end of life. As long as we fear it, deny it, resist it, and try to ignore it, death will haunt and control us. It is only when we accept the truth of our own impermanence that we come to be free of fear. Then we come alive!
The Lord Jesus said, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." We are weary because we are exhausting ourselves in an attempt to find some solace in this world. Our futile search for security wears out.
There is another way. The Lord invites us to let go of fear, to stop running, to be still and to rest in Him. He has conquered death. His arms are open to us always and in His embrace is the fullness of life.
The Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church teach that it is a good spiritual practice to remember death daily, but also to keep the Name of Jesus always in our hearts and minds. Remembering death keeps us focused on the things that really matter. There are surprisingly few. Keeping our hearts and minds on Jesus gives us hope and more. Peace.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Antony