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To live or not to live (Saturday 30th Week Ordinary Time 2020)
Philippians 1
There is a saying, “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” This proverb comes from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9.4. The presumed author, King Solomon, advises here his readers not to attach to vanities of the human world but to enjoy simply whatever the Lord provides for them. All human power, wealth, fame and glory are lost and forgotten after death. Only the living can have hope and work for salvation. A French adage, “A living beggar on his feet is worth more than an emperor in his grave,” sounds carrying about the same advice.
But some people also say, “Better a live coward than a dead hero.” This saying reveals our attachment to this life on earth. Although a majority of North Americans believe in heaven or the afterlife, in reality, we try to build heaven here on earth. Many believe that they can establish a perfect social system, which will satisfy everyone’s needs. This idea is nothing new. Humanity has always striven to design a utopia. In our generation, particularly with the help of science and engineering, the man believes that he can own his life – by extending or immortalizing it. This life is everything. No longer do we have to worry about the afterlife.
I wonder what St Paul would say about transferring human consciousness to a mechanized body as we see in science fiction. In his letter to the Philippians, St Paul declares, “Living is Christ and dying is gain.” For St Paul, life is meaningful as long as we work for the salvation of souls as Christ did. And St Paul welcomes death because now he can join Christ forever in the resurrection. How many of us can say “Living is Christ and dying is gain” is our working principle in this life? St Paul encourages us to become more than consumers of life. He urges us to bear fruit for salvation. He reminds us that Christians have a clear goal and a purpose in life. Only then can we detach ourselves from life and death. For those who live in Christ, life and death here on earth is just a part of life eternal.
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By Fr Swann KimPhilippians 1
There is a saying, “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” This proverb comes from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 9.4. The presumed author, King Solomon, advises here his readers not to attach to vanities of the human world but to enjoy simply whatever the Lord provides for them. All human power, wealth, fame and glory are lost and forgotten after death. Only the living can have hope and work for salvation. A French adage, “A living beggar on his feet is worth more than an emperor in his grave,” sounds carrying about the same advice.
But some people also say, “Better a live coward than a dead hero.” This saying reveals our attachment to this life on earth. Although a majority of North Americans believe in heaven or the afterlife, in reality, we try to build heaven here on earth. Many believe that they can establish a perfect social system, which will satisfy everyone’s needs. This idea is nothing new. Humanity has always striven to design a utopia. In our generation, particularly with the help of science and engineering, the man believes that he can own his life – by extending or immortalizing it. This life is everything. No longer do we have to worry about the afterlife.
I wonder what St Paul would say about transferring human consciousness to a mechanized body as we see in science fiction. In his letter to the Philippians, St Paul declares, “Living is Christ and dying is gain.” For St Paul, life is meaningful as long as we work for the salvation of souls as Christ did. And St Paul welcomes death because now he can join Christ forever in the resurrection. How many of us can say “Living is Christ and dying is gain” is our working principle in this life? St Paul encourages us to become more than consumers of life. He urges us to bear fruit for salvation. He reminds us that Christians have a clear goal and a purpose in life. Only then can we detach ourselves from life and death. For those who live in Christ, life and death here on earth is just a part of life eternal.