Opinion Column

We are in God’s hands, even in death

As we hear the sad news of the death of Pope Francis, Andy Bryant reminds us that, even in death, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

There is much mystery about the exact timing of death.  On Easter Sunday Pope Francis, although clearly much weakened, blessed the crowds in St Peter’s Square and then passed amongst them.  Somehow, he found the strength for this last act of ministry, he resisted death so he could perform his papal duty.  Yet within hours he let go of this life and passed to glory, or as the Vatican Statement put it so simply but beautifully: this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
 
Many people over the years have shared with me how their loved one waited for a particular member of the family to visit or for a particular family celebration to happen before dying – often to the surprise of doctors.  Others will know the sadness of not being there when their loved one died.  It has not been uncommon for people to report to me how they had just popped out of the room to get a coffee only to find their loved one had died before they returned.  For some it seems they wanted to be alone when they die and to spare their loved ones the last painful goodbye.
 
When death comes suddenly and unexpectedly that can be particularly hard – no time to prepare oneself for the death of a loved one and no chance for any goodbyes.  This can be very hard indeed.
 
We must not forget that we are mortal.  Dying is part of what it means to be human; it is part of what shapes who we are.  But we spend much of life trying to avoid the reality of death as if somehow talking about death may make it happen.  We chase after staying young as if there is something wrong about ageing. 
 
The beginning of life is something for which we actively prepare - parents go on courses, watch videos and read endless books.  We do little to prepare for the end of our lives, however, and if we talk too much about death, we are criticised for being morbid.  The NHS spends significant resources on maternity services, but hospices rely extensively on fundraising.  We may be mortal, but it seems it is best not to mention this too often.
 
Of course, some, perhaps many, are frightened of dying, worried about the possibility of pain, or feeling a loss of control over the circumstances, concerned over what will happen to those we leave behind or thinking of the things we wished we had done, perhaps even regret over choices made.  But talking about dying, letting our families know our last wishes, having in place a living will or a power of attorney, even planning your own funeral, can help the dying feel in control and the bereaved know they are following their loved ones wishes.
 
Pope Francis died on the Monday of Easter Week.  The Church is celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Fresh in our minds are the images of the stone rolled back, the grave cloths set to one side, the reassurance of the angels and the empty tomb.  We have heard of Mary’s encounter with Jesus in the garden, his appearance in the upper room where the disciples were behind a locked door, his appearance on the road to Emmaus and on the seashore.  
 
Our conversations about death are always in the context of the Easter hope.  Talk of resurrection is not a way of down-playing death.  The journey to the cross only serves to remind us of the all too harsh reality of dying and death.  But what the resurrection teaches us is that in life, in death and in life beyond death, God never lets us go, nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. 
 
Before we are conceived God knows us and loves us.  At our birth God is the one calling us into life, acknowledged or unacknowledged God walks beside us in all moments of our lives, and at our end God cannot bear to be parted from us, but rather draws us to himself that we may be with God for ever.  We are held always, and in all circumstances, in the palm of God’s hand.
 
None of us can know the circumstances of our death, nor its timing, but whether we die alone or with all our family gathered around us, God will be with us.  Whether we are afraid of dying or welcome death’s embrace, it is love, not death, that has the final say in life.  Like Pope Francis, our death will be the moment we return to the house of the Father.
 
Francis may you rest in peace, and rise in glory!
 
Image by Neil Chappell from Pixabay
 

Revd Andrew Bryant is the Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care at Norwich Cathedral. He was previously Team Rector of Portishead, Bristol, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and has served in parishes in the Guildford and Lichfield Dioceses, as well as working for twelve years with Kaleidoscope Theatre, a charity promoting integration through theatre for young adults with Down’s Syndrome.
 
You can read Andrew's latest blog entry here and can follow him via his Twitter account @AndyBry3.

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate good-natured and constructive debate between website users. 

We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here. 

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines