Death & Self Examination

Dear Beloveds,

Do you think about death?

Perhaps it is because I am a hospice chaplain and a pastor, but I think about death quite a bit. However, I don’t know if that is the only reason why I ruminate on death so often; I am a firm believer that we all need to take some time to think about the meaning of our lives as we all face death someday.

This morning, I spent an hour with a man who is dying. This was a very successful man, someone who spent his life helping others, who did so much good in the world, who has so much. And yet, he sat before me crying.

We were reflecting on the meaning of life, our purpose on this earth, and how his life was coming to and end. And the normal emotions arose in his heart.

What is most important in this world? Why are we here?

I hope that everyone can take some time to ponder this.

I would like to share with you a book that was just recommended to me. It is written by Marie Mutsuki Mockett, and it is called “Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye.” The author travelled to Japan for her family after the Fukushima nuclear tragedy, and then wrote about dealing with deep grief that is overwhelming.

I was drawn in immediately by the prologue, which is too long to print here, but one of the last lines she wrote deeply affected me: “Then the people learned that their most valuable possessions had never been the things in their homes.”

What is the most valuable to you in this life? What is your answer as a person of faith?

May God bless us in our mindful self-examination.

With great love for you,

Pastor Grace