We must -- at some point along our Lenten journey -- be candid about
death. Lent begins with the reminder of our mortality, with the ashes
from which we are knit together, and the season reaches its climax in
the crucifixion of Jesus.
The truth of death is painful, which is why (as I wrote here)
it is important that we keep one another company in the shadows of
death. Even Jesus, praying at Gethsemane before his death, asked his
friends to keep him company. "Then he said to them, 'I am deeply
grieved, even to death; remain here and stay awake with me.'" (Matthew
26:8, NRSV)
In your prayer-writing, seek the comforting
companionship of the Spirit through the worries of death.
My God,
I am not afraid to be dead,
but I am afraid my life will last longer than my body.
I am afraid of being ill alone.
I know you will be with me;
I am still afraid.
Thank you for letting me say so.
