To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; ... A time to kill and a time to heal; ... Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2a and 3a

The events, so much in the very recent news, brought my most favorite bible verses to mind. Two very different, yet similar, situations: The Terri Schiavo and the John Paul II stories.

In both, the quality of life and the death with dignity issues have been in the minds, hearts and souls of many throughout the world. There are other issues involved that bear consideration but I will not address them here.

The quality of life is an ephemeral human concept that eludes exact and concise definition. It is meaningful in a different way to each individual person and corporate church entity is vigorously debated by many. Jesus gave what I consider to be the simplest dictum: "Thou should love thy neighbor as thyself." He took the sins of the many upon Himself and died for His beliefs. He arose from the dead for us also.

The death with dignity issue is also an ephemeral human concept. It also means different things to many people and corporate church entities. Scripture tells us that we will find a home in heaven in the company of all the saints who have died in the faith. Very little is noted about how to die, just the hope of residing on the bosom of the Lord evermore.

The Scripture passage I chose says what I feel in the most elegant and clear way. "There is a time to be born and a time to die;" and "A time to kill and a time to heal." This tells me it is beyond our control for our birth and our death. It is for us to live our lives as best we can in faith, hope and love

When there were no such fantastic and marvelous medical capabilities for heroic measures to maintain life beyond the normal human capabilities, life and death were more uncomplicated.

My mother took seven years to die as a result of the then used high doses of hard radiation to eliminate breast cancer. It was not pretty or happy. In my opinion, her death was a blessing and release from excruciating pain and agony. I remember it vividly. I was also there when my father died in hospital of heart failure. It was very quick. This time there was no lingering pain or suffering. I remember this vividly also. And, again, it was a release and blessing. Two very different experiences and yet the same feeling for both of them.

I find strength and support in my faith and my understanding of the way things happen. I know it is simplistic but it is comforting to have the hope of joining in the eternal glory and to know my life has had some meaning.

O God, your days are without end
   and your mercies cannot be counted.
Make us aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life,
And let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness
   and righteousness all the days of our life,
So that, when we shall have served you in our generation,
We may be gathered to our ancestors,
   having the testimony of a good conscience,
In the communion of your church,
   in the confidence of a certain faith,
In the comfort of a holy hope, in favor with you, our God,
And, in peace with all humanity,
   through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Burial of the Dead from the Lutheran Book of Worship

Contributed by Michael S.
Published Sunday April 3, 2005
Week 19 of Liturgical Year A