The Woman At The Well

Death with Dignity

Man was created at the beginning of time, created by the Creator with mind, heart and soul. “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen1:27) Man’s dignity as human was above others in creation, separate from creatures of sea and land. In Paradise God invited man to share in His creation, “to share in his joy.”

Man’s dignity was tarnished, swept away by sin. Sin created by the snake, seduced man into believing man was the Source- man equal to the Source. When man succumbed to the snake’s reasoning, to sin, each man’s dignity grew less and less in the sight of God, who is the Source, the Source of all creation. Man’s dignity became less to himself, bearing the clothes of his own evil. Sin came, making man subject to death, death for all men. Man’s rebellion began his inward decline- his loss of the Creator’s presence in his life; yet man did not lose God’s love. God loved man, not the sin man perpetuated. Man was always in God’s thoughts, God guiding man through the eons of time.

The incarnation of God’s son, Jesus Christ, raised man once more, perhaps to man’s highest level. Man’s humanity became divinized; man’s human nature is greater with Christ’s humility to descend to man’s human nature with Christ keeping his divine nature. Christ’s presence shows man Truth, the path to God. Christ’s mission is given: to open again the doors of Paradise for man to enter; to show man the Way- the gate to returning to man his full dignity; man, able to become fully human; to return to the bosom of the Creator. Christ accepts his mission.

Man’s dignity reached its apex upon the height of the cross. On the cross Christ demonstrated to man His love and obedience to the will of the Father. He poured out His love for man through blood from His side, flowing love into man; love for man, for man’s potential, for man’s dignity. It is unlikely enough, that someone should die for a good man, yet Christ gives His life for sinners. “Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Man, once again raised up, man’s dignity, elevated; man opened to the possibility of becoming fully human. Life can now be focused on learning to live better; life transformed into potential, the potential for good; for good for all men.

Today the phrase “death with dignity” resonates with the voice of the serpent in the garden. It sounds innocent; it placates; it tries to compensate for something one doesn’t understand. It mocks the Source of creation; it trivializes that which Christ did for man; it once again lowers the dignity of man to the lowest level.

Death with dignity means something different for Christians. Death becomes like pushing a heavy door, stepping into sunlight. It means life has had purpose; it means life has seen and been enveloped with love; seen and been enveloped by Love. One steps tentatively at first. Light is so bright and suddenly all is known. It means the journey of becoming one with Christ is realized. Love stretching His hands out to envelop weak old bones is pulsated with love, honor, and praise. It means man enters into Paradise with the One who says, “Come, share in my joy.”