It’s not the end of the world, you know. The words sounded empty to Rebecca.
After spending several years and income obtaining an advanced degree for a long -sought job, she found herself, after three months of employment, back out looking for a job. Two weeks after losing her job she tripped on a rug in her kitchen, which resulted in stitches on her forehead and a broken leg. Within days, she received a notice her apartment rent was going up.
It’s not the end of the world, you know. Gary, a young, good-looking man with a good-paying job, envied his friends who were married and were beginning families. His relationships were always short lived. Currently he is not in a relationship, and there seems to be no hope in finding a partner.
It’s not the end of the world, you know. Isabel, in midlife, heard those words no one wants to hear from their doctor: “I am sorry, but you have cancer." She had always eaten well and exercised. She was terrified to think about what the weeks ahead might bring.
It’s not the end of the world, you know. As Rebecca, Gary, and Isabel will agree, there are times it does seem like the world is coming to an end—the sun is dark, the moon does not shine, the stars are falling from the sky. The personal turmoil brings mental and physical stress; it seems that no matter which way one turns, another calamity waits. It is hard to find hope; there is no joy in the heart; all the people we have relied on disappoint. Perhaps each of us here has been there at some time or other, maybe even right now.
As Christians, the paschal mystery is that light that breaks through the darkness. The paschal mystery is that pattern of dying and rising that is a part of everyone’s life. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we can overcome the situations that seem to be like death—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, poor health. As the stone was rolled back from the tomb, we can be liberated from our own tombs of despair, loneliness, hopelessness, and doubt.
There will be times when we feel the world is ending, and these moments come at unexpected times. Let us take comfort in Jesus’ words, “When you see these things happening, know that he is near.” Midst the struggles and pains of life, God is by us. As one image attests: When our car is stalled, there God is; he doesn’t start the car but comes and sits with you in the snow bank. And while others may let us down, God’s word does not pass away. God saying to us,
“I love you, I forgive you, I will not leave you orphan.”
It is through these many moments of living the paschal mystery in our lives that we can find hope for the time of our own death. If we have risen from the small deaths along the way, we can have the confidence that our name will be found written in the book, and we will take our place in the heavenly kingdom.
Fr. Ron
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