In Theory: Learning to say goodbye

 GRAHAM BOTHWELL is first reader at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in La Canada. Reach him at (818) 790-3493.

I believe that “saying goodbye to a dying loved one” is a wrong statement in Christian faith. I understand what it means, but it has a wrong choice of words. We, Christians, do not say “goodbye” but “see you later” since so called “dying” is considered as “heavenly home-going” transition. It is part of life or living. Sooner or later all Christians will join our “saints” who went “heavenly home” before us. We, Christians, look at “life-death” on earth through the perspective of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Eternal life is the present actual possession of the believer because of his relationship with Christ, and that it will one day extend its domain to the sphere of the body, is assured by the resurrection of Christ.

Eternal life is the life that the eternal one, God, has. Eternal life is a present-tense possession which affects the nature of a person. Eternal life is that kind of life which is given to all true believers in Christ. The word “eternal” draws attention to the quality of that life, not to its duration in a temporal sense.

Thus eternal life can be experienced by believers even while subject to the temporal conditions of earthly life, according to John 5:20 of the New Testament in the Bible. Within this scope of Christian faith, each family can make their own choice how to prepare their loved one’s “heavenly home-going.”

 SUNNY PAK is pastor of La Cañada United Methodist church in La Cañada. Reach her at (818) 790-3605.