 Meditation:
Five years ago today, I got a call from Mom saying something was the matter with Dad. When I got to their house, the paramedics had arrived and started him on oxygen. “His vitals look good,” said one, “but we’re taking him to the hospital. Why don’t you follow us with your mom?”
The slight tear in his aorta eluded detection until it was too late. His death was so unexpected that when we heard the Code Blue klaxons in the waiting room, it didn’t occur to me it might be him.
The Psalmist asks on all our behalf: “Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days.” The Psalmist ponders with us: “Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.”
I understand it was the practice in the old Augustana Synod that the pastor would announce a death in the congregation with the words, “Yet again we are reminded that we have here no abiding city.” Do we sometimes delude ourselves into thinking otherwise? Nothing in this life – neither homes nor heartbeats – is permanent. Nothing, that is, except for the love of God in Christ Jesus. |
