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Good morning.

This week I’m talking about transitions – and today I’m addressing life’s final one.  Death is of course one of the great taboos – the final transition of life.  We use language – like passing away – which coyly skirts around the reality.  But faith of course faces death with hope.  St Paul refers to death as ‘the last enemy’ and the Bible speaks of eternal life as a triumph over sin and death.

But it is a rare person who is not also apprehensive – final partings from those we love.  Our vanity is challenged with the fear of loss, obliteration and of being forgotten.

In our times we are also exploring whether death can appropriately become the last great area of personal choice. 

I’m going to be brave this morning and say that I hope that ‘going to meet my maker’ will be an encounter with the ultimate power of love and forgiveness.

I also believe that the inevitability of death is part of what gives shape, meaning and purpose to life itself.  Time is not endless for us. We are not immortal.  And to recognise that is one of the steps in learning to live humbly – not seeing ourselves as the centre of our own world... It also gives shape and purpose to life as we strive to make the best use of the gift we have been given.

God our Father

Creator of all life

Watch over us on our journey every day

Be with us as we approach our end

And surround us with your love

Amen.