Our Relationship to Those Who Have Died

When we approach the last minute of earthly life, we can sometimes be seen to cast our eyes slowly and carefully around the sickroom and to those at the bedside, as if taking a final comprehensive look at this Earth and the people we loved and with whom we lived. It is seldom a painful look, nor is it indifferent or unloving. One can have the strong impression that a deep selfless interest occupies that farewell gaze.

Learning to accompany other souls, even from a distance, as they set off for their new life is to learn to "walk with Christ," the Ruler of human destiny. His control of the spiritual events of birth and death is caused by his having shared in them, thus transforming them into gateways toward his own being. Death becomes the gateway to life, and birth a gateway toward resurrection.