It was getting near home time, and a storm had begun. One little lass had a long way to go down the dark lanes. I worried for her and asked if I should go with her. She refused my help with a smile. There was no need—she would be alright, she was not afraid. It was only at the last moment that I could relax, for her father arrived to take her home. She came over to me and said, “I knew Daddy was coming for me, and he has bought me a new coat.” I watched them as they walked out of the door together; she looked so radiant.
Much later, I realized what a marvelous picture this was of the Christian facing death. We cannot avoid the storm or the dark, but we are not alone, and we shall be given a “new coat.” We may not know what lies ahead, but we know who is coming for us—our Heavenly Daddy (Banks, 1992, 156).
It is attributed to C.S. Lewis, who once said, “You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” This is a gentle response to those who interpret life through a materialistic view, believing that everything begins, develops, and ends as a result of random biophysical processes. The quote reminds people of faith that we should not question if the body has a soul, but rather, the correct question is if the soul has a body.
Moreover, St. Paul’s letters remind us that those who have died in Christ will be raised to new life at the Second Coming, sharing in Christ’s resurrection. He emphasized that this hope of resurrection offers comfort and encouragement, assuring believers that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Finally, Christ Himself promises us, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
Fairlie: To commemorate All Souls’ Day, our community is invited to visit the Fairlie Cemetery and pray for the dead after the 9:30 am Mass on Sunday, 10th November, and the Albury Cemetery on 17th November.
Fr. Tien Cao
