Death as encounter with the Father
Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the History of Salvation
General Audience, Wednesday 2 June 1999 - in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. After reflecting on humanity's common destiny as it will be fulfilled at the end of time, today we want to turn our attention to another topic which directly concerns us: the meaning of death. It has become difficult to speak of death today because prosperous societies are inclined to disregard this reality, the thought of which alone causes anxiety. Indeed, as the Council observed, “it is in regard to death that man's condition is most shrouded in doubt” (Gaudium et spes, n. 18). But on this reality the Word of God offers us, although gradually, a light to illumine and comfort us.
In the Old Testament the first indications stem from the common experience of mortals who are not yet enlightened by the hope of a blessed life after death. It was generally believed that human life ended in “Sheol”, a place of shadows incompatible with life in its fullness. In this regard, the words of the Book of Job are very significant: “Are not the days of my life few? Let me alone, that I may find a little comfort before I go whence I shall not return, to the land of gloom and deep darkness, the land of gloom and chaos, where light is as darkness” (Jb 10:20-22).
2. God's Revelation gradually surpassed this severe view of death, and human reflection was opened to new horizons which would receive their full light in the New Testament.
First of all we can understand that if death is the relentless enemy of man, and tries to overpower and dominate him, God could not have created it because he cannot delight in the destruction of the living (cf. Wis 1:13). God's original plan was different, but it was impeded by the sin committed by man under the devil's influence, as the Book of Wisdom explains: “For God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it” (Wis 2:23-24). Jesus also refers to this idea ( cf. Jn 8:44) and St Paul's teaching on the Redemption achieved by Christ, the new Adam (cf. Rom 5:12, 17; 1 Cor 15:21), is based on it. By his Death and Resurrection, Jesus overcame sin and death, which is its consequence.
3. In the light of what Jesus accomplished, we can understand God the Father's attitude towards the life and death of his creatures. The Psalmist had already sensed that God could not abandon his faithful servants in the tomb, nor permit his godly one to undergo corruption (cf. Ps 16:10). Isaiah pointed to a future in which God would destroy death forever, wiping away “tears from all faces” (Is 25:8) and raising the dead to new life: “Your dead shall live, their bodies shall rise. O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and on the land of the shades you will let it fall” (ibid., 26:19). Over death, which levels all the living, is superimposed the image of the earth as a mother preparing to give birth to a new living being and bringing into the world the righteous destined to live in God. Consequently, even if the righteous “in the sight of men were punished, their hope is full of immortality” (Wis 3:1, 4).
The hope of resurrection is magnificently affirmed in the Second Book of Maccabees by the seven brothers and their mother at the time of their martyrdom. One of them says of his hands: “It was from heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again” (2 Mc 7:11); another, “when he was near death, said, ‘It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life by him’” (ibid., 7:14). Their mother heroically encourages them to face death with this hope (cf. ibid., 7:29).
4. Already in the Old Testament the prophets warn people to await “the day of the Lord” with an upright heart, or it would become “darkness, and not light” (cf. Am 5:18, 20). The full revelation of the New Testament emphasizes that everyone will be subject to judgement (cf. 1 Pt 4:5; Rom 14:10). But the righteous should not fear it, since as the elect they are destined to receive the promised inheritance; they will be set at the right hand of Christ, who will call them “blessed of my Father” (Mt 25:34; cf. 22:14; 24:22, 24).
The death the believer experiences as a member of the Mystical Body discloses the way to the Father, who has shown us his love in the death of Christ, the Victim of “expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10; cf. Rom 5:7). In regard to death, the Catechism of the Catholic Church stresses: “For those who die in Christ's grace it is a participation in the death of the Lord, so that they can also share his Resurrection” (n. 1006).
Jesus “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Rv 1:5-6). Of course, it is necesary to pass through death, but now with the certainty that we will meet the Father, when “this corruptible body puts on incorruptibility, this mortal body immortality” (1 Cor 15:54). Then it will be clearly seen that “death is swallowed up in victory” (ibid.) and we will be able to face it defiantly and fearlessly: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (ibid., v. 55).
It is precisely because of this Christian vision of death that St Francis of Assisi could exclaim: “Praised be you, my Lord, for our sister bodily death” (Fonti Francescane, n. 263). With this comforting outlook, we can understand the beatitude proclaimed by the Book of Revelation as the fulfilment of the Gospel Beatitudes: “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth’. ‘Blessed indeed’, says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!’” (Rv 14:13)."
After the Catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:
We continue to receive sad news from Colombia, where last Sunday in the Church of the Transfiguration in Cali, an armed group sacrilegiously interrupted the celebration of Holy Mass and kidnapped many people, including the priest. In the past, similar acts have taken place in interior regions of the country, such as El Piñón (Magdalena), and religious personnel have been killed.
In view of these terrible events, I renew my pressing appeal for reconciliation, with respect for the rights of individuals and a commitment to dialogue that will resolve this serious crisis, as everyone desires. I accompany this wish with a remembrance in my prayer that God will grant peace to Colombia.
Chers frères et soeurs,
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, particulièrement les membres du Mouvement chrétien des retraités de Chantonnay, ainsi que la Communauté du Verbe de Vie, venant de France et de Belgique, et les jeunes présents ce matin, notamme les élèves du collège Charles de Foucauld de Lyon. Je leur souhaite de trouver dans le Christ la source de leur espérance et de leur joie.
À tous je donne de grand cœur la Bénédiction Apostolique.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I warmly greet the members of the General Chapter of. Montfort Missionaries, and I pray that your deliberations help to lead the Congregation into the new Millennium with renewed vigour, in fidelity to your charism. I extend a special welcome to the group of Sisters taking part in the Program of Formation of Formators, sponsored by the International Union of Superiors General.
Upon ail the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, India, Indonesia, Japan and the United States of America, I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God.
Liebe Schwestern und Brüder!
Mit diesen Gedanken griüße ich die Pilger und Besucher, die aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache nach Rom gekommen sind. Besonders heiße ich willkommen: die Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter des Sekretariats der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz aus Bonn, die Mitglieder des Fördervereins Europäischer Bildung sowie die Gruppe der Gesamtschule Bonn-Beuel.
Euch, Euren lieben Angehörigen daheim und allen, die mit uns über Radio Vatikan und das Fernsehen verbunden sind, erteile ich von Herzen den Apostolischen Segen.
Witam pielgrzymów Polski: ze Szczecina grupy Eucharystycznego Ruchu Młodych; grupy młodzieżowe z Grudziądza, Katowic, Lublina, Suwałk, Wałcza i Zawiercia; grupy szkolne z Chorzowa, Częstochowy, Dąbrowy Górniczej, Domaszkowa, Kamienicy, Łojek i Poznania; grupy pracownicze z Białki, Legnicy, Lublina, Puław, Warszawy, Wrocławia, Żor, Żmigrodu i innych miejscowości w Polsce.
« Gdzie jest, o śmierci, oścień twój, gdzie jest twoje zwycięstwo? » - tak pyta św. Paweł, rozważając tajemnicę paschalną zmartwychwstania Chrystusa. Problem śmierci, problem odwieczny, w Ewangelii Chrystusowej Paschy doczekał się rozwiązania. Zmartwychwstanie to jest zwycięstwo nad śmiercią. Taka jest nasza wiara i z taką wiarą też uczestniczymy w jutrzejszej uroczystości Bożego Ciała, w procesjach eucharystycznych, wyznając wraz z wiarą nadzieję życia wiecznego, którego Eucharystia jest dla nas zadatkiem.
Łączę się z wszystkimi, którzy tę uroczystość Bożego Ciała będą sprawować na ziemi polskiej i na całym świecie.
Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus!
Rivolgo ora un cordiale saluto ai pellegrini di lingua italiana. In primo luogo, ai partecipanti al Corso per formatori e per formatrici alla vita consacrata, promosso dalla Pontificia Facoltà di Scienze dell'Educazione "Auxilium". So che voi provenite da ben tredici Paesi ed appartenete a vari Istituti religiosi. Auspico di cuore che questa utile esperienza comunitaria vi arricchisca spiritualmente e vi aiuti ad essere autentici testimoni del Vangelo, nell'impegnativa missione di formatori e formatrici della gioventù, chiamata al servizio di Cristo e della Chiesa.
Saluto, poi, le Suore della Santa Famiglia di Bordeaux, che oggi iniziano il Capitolo Generale. Carissime Sorelle, vi assicuro la mia preghiera perché, secondo lo spirito del Fondatore, vi impegniate con rinnovato slancio caritativo e missionario nell'opera evangelizzatrice, alle soglie del terzo millennio cristiano.
Abbiamo iniziato il mese di giugno, dedicato al Sacro Cuore di Gesù, che ci richiama il mistero dell'Amore divino per l'umanità.
Con questo pensiero saluto voi, carissimi giovani qui presenti. Vi auguro di prepararvi, alla scuola del Cuore di Cristo, ad affrontare con serietà ed impegno le responsabilità che vi attendono.
Rivolgo il mio affettuoso benvenuto a voi, carissimi fratelli malati, e vi ringrazio per l'esempio che date, accettando di compiere la volontà di Dio, unendovi al sacrificio d'amore del Crocifisso.
Sono lieto, poi, di esprimere felicitazioni ed auguri agli sposi novelli. Carissimi, auspico per voi tanta felicità nella quotidiana fedeltà all'amore di Dio, del quale il vostro amore coniugale dev'essere testimonianza.
Chiedo poi a voi tutti, cari pellegrini italiani, di accompagnarmi con la vostra preghiera nel pellegrinaggio in Polonia che, a Dio piacendo, incomincerò sabato prossimo. Vi domando di pregare affinché questo viaggio, il più lungo compiuto nella mia Patria, porti i frutti spirituali sperati.
Colgo l'occasione per rivolgere, infine, un appello in favore del Signor Filippo Oliva, di Locri, scomparso all'inizio di quest'anno senza lasciare traccia. Prego il Signore che dia conforto ai suoi familiari e doni loro la gioia di riabbracciare il loro caro congiunto.
A tutti la mia Benedizione.
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