South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 24, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, June 9, 1989 Page: 4 of 16
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June 9, 1989—4
Living* the Faith
Death awaits us all
By Father William Maestri
1) Kings 17:17-24
2) Galations 1:11-19
3) Luke 7:11-17
Those who work with and minister
to the dying tell us that the great fear
of the dying is being abandoned.
Death radically isolates and reduces us
to our basic resources and deficiencies.
No one can die for uS. It is in our own
death that who we really are comes to
light. But it is in the process of dying
that so much of life begins to fall away.
The great fear is that as we ap-
proach our death we will do so forgot-
ten and removed from public view.
The dying are too often treated as if
they are already dead. It is not uncom-
mon for the hospital staff to busy
themselves about other things in the
name of caring for the living (yet
aren’t we all terminal?).
Family and friends come less and
when they dc the moments are
awkward and the sentences strained.
Even the clergy can be seen to rush in
and out of the room with a wave of the
hand in the a.r that does not really
biess by touching as if death were con-
tagious (or is it?). The collar and ritual
are clutched as a protective shield,
against that “cruel mathematics which
claims our condition.”
Death, contrary to the illusion
fostered by our youth culture, comes
for all of us. As life slowly slips away
the world moves on to more enjoyable
“He said, ‘Young man, I bid you get up.’ The dead man sat up
and began to speak. Then Jesus gave him back to bis mother. * *
(Luke 7/I4-I5)
activities. The world wants to escape
from the reality of death which is so
depressing.
It is at such moments and into such
situations that the Christian communi-
ty must draw close and affirm the
dignity of the human person; the im-
measurable worth of this person who
happens to be a patient.
The world and its promises are soon
revealed as empty. They dp not have
the power to overcome the great
enemy—death. The Christian com-
munity stands in solidarity with dying
and keeps company with the weak and
suffering, We see in the sick and suf-
fering and dying, Jesus and His need.
We see in the dying, ourselves.
The Christian message is one ol
hope. This is not a hope based on con-
quering death through technology or
medical science. We can risk standing
with the dying; we can accept our own
daily dying because we believe that in
the death of Jesus the ultimate victory
goes to life; hope is stronger than
despair.
In our Gospel Jesus raises the son of
the widow at Naim. It is not a time for
tears and despair. Jesus came to raise
the dead and overcome the power of
sin. We see a very human Jesus moved
by pity.
However, Jesus is not held captive
by His feelings nor does He deny the
anguish and pain we all feel at the loss
of a loved one.
Yet there comes a time when we
move on with life. And Jesus came to
give us life in abundance. He called
the dead man with these words:
“Young man, I bid you get up.” Jesus
came to raise the dead and so He calls
this young man from death to life. He
turns tears to joy and despair to the
praise of God,
Those who witness the miracle pro-
claim, “God has visited His people.”
In other words, God has not abandon-
ed His people to the forces of sin and
death.
The raising of this young man is a
sign of what Jesus canto to do through
His death and resurrection. Our hope
is in the living words of Jesus. Jesus
alone gives life.
Before the young man could he rais-
ed he had to die. Jesus can only raise
those who are willing to die to
themselves so as to live for God and
neighbor. Too often we find ourselves
wanting to be raised by not having to
die or let go of the things we hold most
dear.
We want Jesus to call us out of the
tomb of our dead existence without
sacrificing any of the illusions which
promise us life. Yet the hard truth
which disturbs the easy lie is this; Jesus
can only raise us to new life if we are
willing to die to the old life and the old
self. If we insist on seeking our life, we
will never be raised.
Faith Experiences
The importance of a dream
Father Juan Romero, right, stands with his father, Clarentian Father
Tobias Romero and his brother, Father Gilbert Romero, left, outside
Sacred Heart Church in Los Angeles. Father Juan Romero, who
celebrated his silver jubilee April 29, Is secretary to Auxiliary Bishop Juan
A. Arzube of Los Angeles and was the coordinator of the Third National
Pastoral Encuentro, a meeting in 1985 of Hispanic Catholics that took
place In Washington. Father Tobias Romero entered the seminary in 1971,
two years after the death of his wife. He had worked as a systems analyst
for the CBS television network in Los Angeles. (NC phote by Ai Antczak,
The Tidings)
By Olga Cano Villarreal
St- Anthony of Padua Mission, Austwell
I’ve had many dreams that I
thought were interesting—four in par-
ticular which were very spiritual and
which helped me to become a better
Christian.
In one, I dreamed I was walking in
a dry, parched field—it looked as
though it had not rained in years.
Everything around me looked gray
and gloomy and I wanted to escape,
but the landscape looked the same for
miles around.
A woman approached me and asked
if I had heard of an airplane that came
to pick people up and take them to
another world. I said, “No, I haven’t!
Will it really come?” She replied,
“But this world is so beautiful and
peaceful.” “Oh, I want to go,” I in-
sisted.
Later I found the airport and I was
overcome with joy. I could not miss
the opportunity to get on the plane and
leave this dreary world. I saw the
airplane—it was huge and there were
many people standing in line.
Another woman approached me and
said, “I’m sorry, but you cannot get
on this flight.” I asked, “Why not?”
“Because it is filled to capacity and
there is no more room.”
I sadly walked toward the terminal
and tried to open the doors to go back
inside, but the doors were locked, I
was trapped and felt very desperate; I
started calling for help, “Let me out!
Let me out!”
Suddenly the doors opened and a
man’s voice, authoritative yet gentle
and loving, said, “Go now, back to
your family and five in peace and love
with everyone.”
As I walked out I saw all those peo-
ple who needed me and were waiting
for me with open arms—I was very
happy to see them again.
It wasn’t until I gave my heart to
Jesus Christ that I fully understood
what that dream meant. I knew that
without Christ and the Holy Spirit
directing my life, I would always find
myself walking in a dry, parched land,
with no help at all and always alone,
I have learned that we must first
love and forgive one another. Yes, this
world we live in will never be perfect.
But when we receive God with
repented hearts, He in return gives us
joy, peace and His Holy Spirit to
strengthen us.
When it is time, the Lord will come
to take us home and there will be room
for everyone. In His arms there is
always room for one more repented
soul.
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Freeman, Robert E. South Texas Catholic (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 24, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, June 9, 1989, newspaper, June 9, 1989; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth840600/m1/4/: accessed June 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .