Death is a Great Equalizer
The Philosophy of man’s book says that “the final question we must ask about man’s
nature is the most difficult one of all”. Man’s journey in this world is temporary because he is an
ephemeral being and when this temporality has ended his soul will return to its Creator. Death
is a mystery and there are several thinkers who try to discover and to understand this kind of
phenomenon. Even though we have seen many people (sometimes our closest neighbor) who
died, those experiences still can’t reveal to us the mystery behind death. Our Apostles’ creed
tells us that we believe in the resurrection of the body and everlasting life, this is the basis of
our belief in the resurrection on the last day. According to Karl Rahner the phenomenon of
death comprises two aspects, the first is the spiritual completion and the other is the material
coming to an end. When the body and soul are separated his personal fulfillment will be
brought to its final state the journey is over. Maybe that is the reason why the people on earth
are called “militant Church” because they still fight for their survival, their journey is still not yet
over. But, when they finally completed their journey they will face God’s judgment and decision
on where the state of life should properly be put will be coming from God, the supreme Judge.
Just like St. John of the Cross has said “at the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love”.
We are destined to be with our Creator which is God, so in order for us to enter the dwelling
place our actions must lead us to our end and that end should be God.
Why are we afraid to Die?
There are many suitable answers that will explain why are we afraid to die. Maybe
because we are afraid of the unknown because of the mystery that is hidden in the concept of
death. We didn’t know what is in there. Another reason is due to our unrepented sin if we
know that we no good deeds that are done in this present life and we are afraid of falling to hell
when we die. Another reason is that we are not yet ready to leave this present life due to our
obligations to our family and loved ones (“Paano na ang aking mga anak kung mamamatay agad
ko”). The last reason that I think would be the most suitable answer to this question is that we
are afraid to be forgotten by our loved ones that their memories of you will soon fade,
Why death is a great equalizer?
Death is a great equalizer because no matter what status you have in this present life,
even if you are rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, degree holder or undergraduate, young or old,
wise or fool, in the grave we are all equal because no one can escape death. According to the
article that I’ve read regarding metal music is that the reason why metal music is symbolized by
the skull sign is that when you see a skull you cannot tell what is his religion, as he is rich or not,
as he is a black people or white or what race is he belonged.
Prepared by:
Sem. Mark Jude Garry Grimaldo
