Fr: Glenn Jones:
One didn’t have to look long at the news this week to see the ongoing drama of five persons in the Titanic-tour submersible, now known to be lost with all onboard. The common speculation is that a hull failure facilitated an implosion of the vessel. The only consolation, if one is to be had for the families, is that it is surmised that the implosion, due to the great pressure on the hull as far down as it was, took a few milliseconds at most, and those unfortunates likely died without even being aware of their own disastrous demise.
The submersible tragedy was big news because of it being such an unusual drama, and because onboard was a well-known billionaire and other influential people. But tragedies are daily occurrences around the world. For instance, we also read of a migrant ship having capsized in the Mediterranean with the loss of hundreds of lives, and the many Christians who die daily and weekly in Nigeria and other places at the hands of radicals. And, of course, of the starving and war-stricken all throughout the world, or slave labor (often children) which mines gold, blood diamonds, lithium and cobalt, etc., in third world countries. Then there is the sex slave trafficking, drug trafficking, dictatorial oppressions, religious persecutions, and on and on and on.
When we think of all of these and all of the people suffering so, we can only give thanks for the blessings that we receive, knowing with those blessings also comes the grave responsibility to try to improve the lives of those less fortunate and perhaps enduring tragic circumstances. Contemplating our blessings compared to others’ misfortune also helps us to realize that the problems that most of us have are minor—indeed, often veritably insignificant—to the challenges of those whose very daily survival is on the line.
But, as the submersible accident reminds us, this earthly life’s end awaits all of us, and as Jesus reminds us repeatedly in the Gospels: “You know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) We’d imagine that the tourists on the submersible were likely excited almost beyond describing to be going miles beneath the ocean to view the famous Titanic; who among us would not have been. And yet, in less than a blink, they no longer existed. In a way many would likely think them lucky—no pain, no terror, no forlorn hopes as in many deaths, but just there one moment and gone the next.
Yet, it would be foolish, not to mention quite morbid, to be dwelling on our inevitable demise 24/7, but it is certainly wise to be prepared for it at any time. Is this not why we draft wills and trusts even when we’re relatively young? Because the future is a vast unknown. At the time of this writing, who would have predicted that 48 hours earlier Vladimir Putin and Russia would be facing the possibility of a coup d’état as he just did?
So, is it not wise to be prepared at all times, even if it seems extremely unlikely that the reaper will be paying a visit? And, of course, the best way to prepare—and simply to live—is to do good at all times, enhancing the lives of others the best we can by our time, talents, and treasures, but most of all by love and kindness.
After all, we SOOOO want to be remembered. But remembered how? When visiting Las Vegas (New Mexico), I often think of such when driving by the library emblazoned with “Carnagie Public Library” above its entrance, Andrew Carnegie the businessman/philanthropist having funded many such libraries in his time. Will our names be used as a curse, or a compliment, or a blessing? The names of Hitler, Stalin, Judas, and Benedict Arnold are examples of the first of these—of evil and treachery. But to be compared to Gandhi, or MLK, Jr., Mother Teresa or saints are compliments and blessings—the way we most want to be remembered, I think. But we have to be worthy of such remembrance not by empty intentions but also by both action and restraint. In the end, one need be righteous (but not self-righteous; a big difference there!): “… if any one loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for men than these.” (Wisdom 8:7)
Of particular note, with all the anger so manifest today, good people can’t help but be dismayed at how such tears apart society so unnecessarily. Civil discourse seems to be an endangered species. This is why “wrath” is one of the seven deadly sins: it destroys relationships among peoples. All throughout scripture is taught very adamantly the evil of anger: “Anger and wrath…are abominations, and the sinful man will possess them. He that take vengeance will suffer vengeance from the Lord…” (Sirach 27:30-28:1), and “Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11)
Conversely, scripture provides that forgiveness of offenses with highest praise, and is even explicitly presented as a condition of salvation: “[Jesus said]: ‘if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’” (Matthew 6:15-15)
St. Paul (or rather, we Christians believe, God through St. Paul) is kind enough to give us a synopsis of how to live a good life—one worthy of remembrance, though our intent is much better in self-forgetfulness and sincere charity: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
Who could possibly fault such a one? Who cannot remember such a one?
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
