我們素來非常仰慕那些殉道者，非常驚訝他們那不怕死，為主作證的精神。無論是亂石砸死、被焚、被烤、被釘、餵野獸、剝皮等等…這樣恐怖的事，常人又怎能忍受呢？聖母瑪利亞問得好，「這事怎能成就呢？」（路1:34）難道殉道者受難時，「聖神要臨於你，至高者的能力要庇蔭你」嗎？（1:35）藉著至高者的能力，殉道者們不會感覺到死亡的痛苦嗎？
首先，死亡真的是痛苦嗎？的確，從一些臨終者所發出的呻呤聲，或者從死者的臉部表情看到扭曲了的面容，我們推測死亡是痛苦的。不過，也有不少人是何等安詳地離開這個世界，壽終正寢，令人羨慕不已。從來沒有人做過死亡直播，把瀕臨死亡的感覺報導給我們。所以死亡不一定是痛苦的。
其次，是甚麼因素使部份人「痛苦」地離世，使另一些人「安詳」地離世呢？這是一個如何「善終」的問題，眾說紛紜。讓我也來襯熱鬧，大膽地在這裡發表意見。
除了在末日時，部份人可以直接進入永生之外，大部份的人要經歷死亡，纔可前往永生彼岸。因此，死亡是通往永生的大門。試想想分隔兩地的人，是多麼渴望有一天與至親者團聚。同樣，基督徒是多麼渴望前往永生彼岸，與我們所愛的耶穌基督團聚。這渴望與我們對耶穌基督的愛成正比！原來「愛情猛如死亡，妒愛頑如陰府。」（歌8:6）竟是如此真實的，在殉道者身上清楚地表達了出來。原來愛情竟然是如此轟轟烈烈的死亡，幸福與痛苦竟然是如此彼此擁抱著。
天父啊！祢的智慧令人讚嘆。請以祢的愛情充盈我們的生活，好讓我們能擁抱死亡，順利到達祢的臺前。亞孟。
Embrace Death with Love (Matthew 10:17-22)
We always admire the martyrs very much, are surprised how they were not afraid to die and bear witness for the Lord. Think about being stoned, burnt, roasted, crucified, torn by beasts and flayed etc. How can ordinary people endure such tortures? The BVM asked well, "How shall this be?" (Luke 1:34) Would it be that "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (1:35)? Would the martyrs feel no pain of death with the power of the Most High?
First of all, is death really painful? Truly, from the groaning of a man at his deathbed, or the twisted face of a corpse, we deduce that death is painful. However, there are also many people who die a peaceful death, leaving this world in their sleep. People would trade anything to die in this way. Since nobody has covered dying live and reported the near-death experience. Thus, death is not necessarily painful.
Secondly, what factors cause some people to die painfully while other peacefully? This is a matter of "good death" and is controversial. I would like to take this opportunity to voice my view.
Except for those who enter eternity directly at the end of the world, most people have to go through death in order to reach the other side. Death is thus a portal to eternity. Imagine people being separated. How much they desire to reunite with their loved ones! Similarly, how much Christians desire to attain eternal life to reunite with Jesus Christ whom they love! This desire is directly proportional to the intensity of the love they have for Jesus Christ. That "Love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave." (Songs 8:6) is so true and clearly articulated by the martyrs. Love can be so stunning a death. Happiness and pain can embrace each other in such an intimate way.
Heavenly Father, Your wisdom is stunning. We beg you to fill our lives with love so that we can embrace death and set sail before You smoothly. Amen.
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