Nearly a year later I still agree with the post. Yet after reading it again, and again, and yet again, I see it is a weightier post than I realized at the time. Indeed, it is too weighty for me to deal with adequately in a single post. Truth be told, I am likely inept to deal with it no matter the number of posts I would write.
If last year's post is read quickly, there is the possibility of seeing some sort of Universalism present; e.g., the entire last paragraph (not just the last sentence). Yet prior to that paragraph I mentioned "the deceased in Christ" as well as a "battle over the eternal destiny of humanity". Those are heavy words.
So what am I to do with that? For now I will answer in two ways; one towards The Church and another towards the majority of the people in this world, who are not a part of The Church.
First, The Church. Dealing with death is never easy. Yet I am convinced, and grow more convinced with every funeral I either attend or officiate (conduct), that allowing ourselves to fully experience everything associated with death (including anger, grief, and pain) is a good thing. How you may wonder? Well...
We usually experience anger when we believe something, particularly something that impacts us directly, is not right. The reality is, death shows us something is not right. When God removed Adam and Eve out of Eden, He also barred them from the Tree of Life (cf. Gen3:22-24). Yet one day (because of Jesus' second coming), those "in Christ" will have access to that Tree (cf. Rev2:7; 22:2,14,19), and death will be no more (Rev21:4).
As far as grief is concerned, those "in Christ" are now with the Lord (cf. Phil1:21-24; Rev6:9; 7:9; 20:4). This is not defeat; it is victory! What they had faith in and could only hope for has been confirmed in tangible ways - what a blessing. Indeed, a blessing that should comfort those of us left behind. Those who are with Jesus now are at no disadvantage (cf. 1Thess4:13-18), and for this we can be thankful.
With all of that said, we can and will still miss them (pain), but we can also be thankful for the time we had with them. It can be healing to ponder and be thankful for lessons the individual(s) taught us, how they encouraged us, etc. In fact, if we want comfort and peace in the midst of our pain, thankfulness is the path to receive it (cf. Phil4:4-7).
The reminder of death for us Christians is also good because it reminds us this earth is not our home (cf. Ps119:19; Phil3:20). It is quite easy for many of us to be comfortable in our culture. However death is a wake-up call from our comfort that impacts everyone. A growing awareness of Advent challenges that comfort - especially if (and when) it leads to complacency.
Now for the majority of those in the world, that are not in The Church. While this will be overly simplified, it is also true. Jesus did not leave the full presence of God to come to earth in order to help us become better people. Jesus did not come to clean up our morals. Jesus did not come to get us to tithe money to The Church. Jesus did not come so the Ten Commandments can be prominently displayed on a secular government's ground. Jesus did not come so that retailers will say Merry Christmas. Jesus did not come so that...well, I think you get my point.
Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of God, period.
What is the Kingdom of God? Think of there being no needy people. Think of sexual abuse never happening again. Think of isolation giving way to true, loving community. Think of people realizing they are loved by a God because of who they are, not because of what they do or what they could be one day in the future. Think of just about anything in this world that makes it difficult, hard, depressing, or whatever - Jesus came to establish a Kingdom to solve all of that.
While I will defend The Church because She is the bride of Christ...if somehow the church has hurt you I am sorry. Please forgive us. Will you at least be open to hearing the words of Jesus? Will you at least consider the fuller picture of what God desires?
I am convinced that many things for which people, maybe even you (who range from apathy to even hostility towards God), are passionate about fall under the umbrella of God's Kingdom desires. If only somehow The Church could help them, or you, realize this. Are you concerned about poverty? So is God. Are you concerned about the AIDS epidemic? So is God. Are you concerned about just about anything that could be put in the blank? So is God. Perhaps you could help the The Church become more well-rounded so those areas of justice are handled by the body Jesus left behind on the earth to do the Father's will (The Church).
With that said, this is a reason why Advent is so important. The first coming of Jesus (His first "advent") guarantees His second coming. While the Kingdom of God is present on earth now (thanks to the implications of His first coming), it will not be fully present until His second coming. What a glorious day that will be. Yet how glorious it also is to be working towards that day as we realize and take to heart the fact that The Church is the answer to the Lord's Prayer (cf. Mt610 - bringing heaven (God's presence) to earth in tangible ways).
Until next time, Holy Advent to you.
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