Fr. Neuhaus on Death

Good writing provides, in this mortal world, a sort of temporary life after death -- allowing us to continue to communicate, though one-sidedly, with those who have since gone on to meet their maker. And so it seems quite appropriate that on the day of Fr. Neuhaus's death, First Things reprints an article of his about how our lives lead up to dying.

We are born to die. Not that death is the purpose of our being born, but we are born toward death, and in each of our lives the work of dying is already underway. The work of dying well is, in largest part, the work of living well. Most of us are at ease in discussing what makes for a good life, but we typically become tongue-tied and nervous when the discussion turns to a good death. As children of a culture radically, even religiously, devoted to youth and health, many find it incomprehensible, indeed offensive, that the word “good” should in any way be associated with death. Death, it is thought, is an unmitigated evil, the very antithesis of all that is good.

Do read it, and take a moment to say a prayer for a man who has helped so many to appreciate the unity of faith and reason.