“No Accidental Deaths”

Most of us have heard the phrase, ‘A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once.” (ref.William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

I sometimes think of this phrase when I read the scriptures about Jesus dodging various bullets throughout his public ministry, because it wasn’t his time. In Nazareth they tried to throw him off a cliff, but he walked thru the crowd… it wasn’t his time; in today’s gospel reading, “they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.” (John 7:30) It seems that the Lord gave all these threats and attempted arrests a side glance, because he knew it wasn’t his time. 

If every time I walk out of the house I think “It’s my time”,  I am going to be a nervous wreck. “Well Judy this is probably my time, so I better say goodbye to everyone, get to confession, perhaps have a sip of that special whiskey I’ve been saving up for 20 years”. In the middle of my speech I would probably hear a voice from the kitchen, “puullleese ….. you’re only going to Shoprite to pick up a red onion… oh and while you’re there pick up a stick of butter…”. 

Jesus was able to go about his mission with full vigor because he knew that he wasn’t going to have an unexpected surprise death. He wasn’t worried about accidently tripping and falling on a rock, or having  a heart attack, or getting hit by a chariot while crossing the street. He could confidently embrace the mission of his father. There would be no accidental death. 

In our case, there will also not be any accidental deaths. Our father in heaven knows when it’s our time to come home. When it’s time, it’s time, and he will help us be ready. In the meantime, we need not worry. We can pursue with vigor the life that is before us, and not worry. This doesn’t mean we should “tempt death” and begin a new career as a sword swallower or wing walker or look to climb Mt. Everest in a swimming suit; nevertheless, we can be at peace. 

So let’s watch and keep our friendship with the Lord in good shape for we do not know the day or the hour. (Mt. 25:13)  At the same time let’s remember that the Lord does know the day and hour of our passing and he will help us be ready…. it won’t be a surprise or accident to him. In the meantime, let’s pursue our life in Christ with vigor, not with fear and anxiety. And that is more good news.