Body and Soul
PARALLELS OF LIFE
WHAT ARE YOUR FEARS?
Eileen Renders
To be philosophical for a while, let us consider the parallels of life. There always seem to be parallels in our lives, such as learning what is, rather than what we once misunderstood to be real. Being always open to learning without bias is necessary for accepting what is.
Is the truth always laid out for us with proof? Of course not. The truth may be what we have learned, what our heart leans toward, and what we believe with full acceptance.
To coin that expression, “Life is meant for Living”, we are meant to learn, study, socialize, work, have goals in place, and enjoy a personal home life. This is part of growing and maturing.
When we are in school studying for whatever we would like to do when we are involved with a job, or a community, we are required to be patient, outgoing, tolerant, and forgiving of others, including ourselves when we fail, or make mistakes.
Just as we live, so too shall we die. Life is temporary. Being born is a miracle when we think of how it occurs. How we grow and mature is a beautiful experience as well. The choices we make, our goals, and our achievements often take many years. Therefore, our lives, including our spiritual lives, require the same preparation for death as was required to live out our lives.
Faith requires a strong spiritual life, adhering to positive principles, preparation, and our acceptance. Yet truthfully, many today fear death because it is unknown to us. We regret how we must leave our friends and family for another world.
Knowing that we all must go does not resolve the emotional turmoil and fear that seems, at one time or another, to monopolize our thoughts and emotions. We, as Catholics, all love god, our creator. We attend Mass, we pray, and yet for many, we cannot shake that fear of dying that remains within us.
Why does this linger, and we wonder what we are doing that we could be doing better? Our Mother in heaven tells us that a daily rosary will protect us and strengthen our faith, our spirit, so that we will come to accept death as we accepted life with faith and trust, and acceptance. Carlos Acutis not only accepted his death but was joyous with the promises Our Lady had given him before his death at such a young age.
The rosary together. Begin the rosary before bedtime for 5 to 6 days a week, especially with Lent beginning soon, and work up to 6 or 7 days a week. Our lady’s promises will sustain us.