“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” - 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
I have read and heard many times that someone has died of natural causes. The truth of our faith is that there is no death by natural causes. By that, I mean that death is not part of God’s original plan. Death entered God’s creation but is not an original thing. It is not natural that we die. I also have read and heard that death is sometimes greeted as a friend meaning that death has released someone from mortal suffering. I think I understand their meaning and the compassion being expressed. That compassion is a very good thing. But in the truth of our faith, death reminds us that something is wrong with God’s creation. Death is not a friend.
These might be hard truths, especially at the point of death, and should be handled carefully, but they are also truths that raise our hopes in the Easter event. Our hope is in Christ, that he died, was buried, was raised on the third day, and now lives as a first fruit of the resurrection of all who die in his name. Our faith is that one day death will be no more. Our faith is that death no longer has the last word so that the last word perhaps spoken about us - that “she is dead, he has died” - is no longer the worst word. Because Christ has been raised from the dead as the first of all who will likewise be raised, we can live as Easter people, as people of hope, free from the fear of death.
We do hope in Christ for this life. We hope that we are under his care and given his grace to follow where he leads the way and live as he lived even in the worse of circumstances when the world feels like a dark and dreadful Good Friday. But we also hope for that day of our resurrection, our Easter day when all that is opposed to his will and his way are no more, even death. We celebrate the truth of our hope on Easter, and for all who lament the state of the world and for all who long for the presence of those no longer with us, may this Easter be an especially sweet confirmation of your hope and your faith.
The peace of the risen Christ be yours always,
Fr. Bill