REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 4TH SEPTEMBER 2023
REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 4TH SEPTEMBER 2023 1Thess.4:13-18; Ps.98; Luke 4:16-30 The Death we should Fear In today’s first reading, St. Paul addresses the phenomenon of death among the Thessalonians. If the gospel must retain its fervor as goodnews, it must address the phenomenon of death that rather seems like a bad news with all the pain and sorrow it brings. When we hear of New Life in Christ, we may want to expect that good people should not die; or, if they must die, it should be at a ripe old age. St. Paul does not deny the pain of death but he wants us to mourn only as it is necessary. Mourn that you have lost the physical presence of a love one but do not mourn as if something unfortunate has befallen the person. Sometimes the manner in which we thank God for the gift of life, seem to imply that we think ourselves to be more fortunate than those who have died. St. Paul corrects this notion today. Death is not the end of life but a transition...