An Eternal Perspective

A Reflection on the Second Reading for March 3rd, 2019:
​Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians 15.54-58 

Brothers and sisters: When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

---

Discouragement can overwhelm us, especially when we are faced with tragedy. If we do not experience it directly, at some point we see it in our neighbour’s life. It does not take long to meet “death’s sting”, and we can turn to anger, despair, or numbness in its wake.

A few weeks ago, I learned that a family member died in an accident—one that was entirely preventable—and it was heartbreaking. It was hard for me to grasp how it could even happen, and I gained a heightened awareness of the perishability of the body. Human life is fragile, unpredictable, and sometimes our circumstances seem unjust and needlessly painful.

Original sin often affects the world in ways that are out of our control, beyond predictable consequences of our personal sins. Death was not “part of the plan” in the beginning—we were never meant to be separated from God, who is Life. He grieves with us in devastating moments, drawing closer even when we cannot perceive Him, and in the person of Christ He is compassion.

"He grieves with us in devastating moments, drawing closer even when we cannot perceive Him, and in the person of Christ He is compassion."

Tweet

In the moments that shake us to our core, it can be most difficult to remember Christ’s victory over death. We can know intellectually that He has already won the ultimate battle, but so much grace is required to choose faith in Him when we are tempted to reject hope in the now and in our hearts.

I am grateful that the Holy Spirit inspired these words through Saint Paul, because I need him to remind and encourage me that my “labour is not in vain”. That my frequent prayers and heart-cries are heard, and that God will keep His promises. God graced Saint Paul with an eternal perspective, to see beyond the present moment and to share in God’s vision. He sees all... past, present, and future, and having this sight allows for authentic hope in healing and redemption.

Let us Pray:
Father, please help all your children to see your Light and Truth in our darkest hours, so that we may have faith and hope in You and that we may be bold enough to choose charity in moments of strife. Help me see what You see—Your victory. Amen.

​Kendra Chisholm

---