Editorial - Living through death
31.03.2010
Living through death
Richard Dawkins the popular author with an atheistic stance on life was in Australia recently debunking notions of God and giving what he believes are cogent reasons for being an atheist.
His arrival came during Lent as we were preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We believe as Christians that he is the unique Son of God. Many people like Marx and Dawkins believe that religion is bad for people. It makes them passive, accepting of their ‘fate’ or aggressively violent towards those who believe a different creed.
I think we have to acknowledge this perversion of the Christian life has happened at times.
Jesus is our example in all things. People were attracted to him as well upset by him but he was never deterred from his purpose, he lived his life on his terms. Paradoxically, he lived through his death and burst into new life through the power of his Father.
Many older people live this way and I would like to pay tribute to them. They are not waiting for death to claim them; they are busy doing what they able to, looking after their house, unit or room, enjoying their family and hobbies; they take an interest in what is going on around them and in the world. Death happens to them when they are doing other things and they live through death into life with God.
They slow down, certainly they are weakening in their physical energy but they try to live full on. To my mind living their way is holy because it follows the example of Jesus’ own life and death. He is risen; stop messing about, go for it.
Fr Gary Walker
TFE@columban.org.au
