So much death in the air...

When I was in secondary school, we once had to analyse a poem entitled Death Be Not Proud by John Donne. From the moment I read that poem, I fell in love with the way John Donne made a mockery of death.

At that time, I had experienced my share of deaths within my extended family. The notion that death was nothing but a coward used by sickness; among other things, to stalk men towards their end was quite a revelation to me.

I especially like the way John Donne reduced death to a vulnerable being. Every time I read that poem I almost felt sympathy towards this fool of a foe who could not seem to realise that he was a means to an end that did not have to be tragic nor altogether dreadful. For you see, at the end of the poem John Donne reveals the true meaning behind death. We awaken to eternity; well, I would hope like I believe John Donne meant, eternity with the Father in Heaven.

Now, you might be asking why on earth would someone write about something as "dreadful" as death on such a fine sunny day in New York.

I was led down this path by a very inspiring blog entry on the Q: Ideas for the Common Good website.

I hope that it is as inspiring to you as it was to me. It certainly delves into the emotions and questions that many of us go through after a loss of a loved one.

My only hope is that we will learn to demystify death and search for the truth in the Bible.


I Bid You Shalom,


Jacqueline