Dear Parishioner,

The second reading this week, from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians seems very well timed as we in England and Wales consider the debate around the “Assisting Dying Bill” – the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Separate legislation is being considered in Scotland. Plans are also afoot to legalise assisted dying in Jersey and the Isle of Man. In this letter, St Paul address the question of those in the Corinthian Christian community who said there is no resurrection from the dead. If we believe there is no resurrection for ourselves it is because we do no believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

If Jesus had not been raised from the dead it would mean that his saving work had not, in fact been accomplished and we are still in our sins. We would have to shrug our shoulders and try and to the best we can – it would mean that love itself is not triumphant. That would be the most terrible thing of all – no wonder St Paul says, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied”.

In fact, our faith is that Christ, having been raised, is the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. We are people of the Resurrection. No one escapes some suffering and for some of us the end of our lives may well be painful either physically – in spite of the advances in pain control in our own day – or psychologically, often due to the perceived indignity of being increasingly helpless and not having control over own lives or even our own body.

We cannot deny these are great challenges for us but as Christians, looking forward to the mercy of God and eternal life, we must hope that we are able to leave our lives on earth cared for with the same spirit of love as when we were born – indeed Shakespeare, through Jacques in “As You Like It” – calls old age a second childhood. It is not uncommon for children finding themselves caring for their elderly parents in much the same way they were cared for by them when young. The care of the elderly and infirm is a way in which we show our gratitude to God for own lives. Care for the dying and the patience and prayer of the terminal ill are vital ways of Christian living – a witness to the fact that love is stronger than death.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Timothy Gorham OSB