Every October I start to cringe. It seems our world starts to display its fascination with death. Goblins, ghouls, zombies, and spiders abound. The scary and ugly part of what the secular world displays is a far cry from the beauty of what our Catholic faith teaches us.

And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 1 Cor 15:54-55

So, what is the beauty of death? Did you know that you are part of the universal church? When we proudly proclaim we are all one body- it is because the church divided into 3 parts that celebrate together. The Church Triumphant (those in heaven), the Church Suffering (those in purgatory) and the Church Militant (that’s us! Struggling everyday in this valley of tears) Our goal as Catholics is to recognize that we are part of this one body- and one day we will rejoice with the saints in heaven and enjoy the beatific vision.

When I look at the lives of the saints I am filled with hope. I see saints like Padre Pio, St Catherine of Sienna, and others who’s lives on earth were so exemplary that after death God does not show us a rotting corpse, but an incorruptible body, some who hundreds of years later still are intact and emit a beautiful scent. This is a small foreshadowing of what awaits us all, when Jesus comes again, our mortal bodies will once again be joined to our souls not in the thoughtless meanderings of a zombie but in grateful contemplation of the Divine.

Death is not an end- I once heard someone say one day when you read my obituary it will say I died, but don’t believe a word of it- I will be fully alive more alive than I have been in my physical life. I will be in heaven rejoicing. That is the goal  to know that we will spend eternity with the one who loves us best.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. John 14 2-3. When my kids come home to visit, I spend so much time making things perfect for them- preparing a place for them that they will enjoy and feel loved in.  If I in my human frailty can do this, can you imagine what God is preparing for you?

So let October come, let the world clothe itself in the scary and spooky. I will keep my eyes focused on heaven where my help comes from, and my hope is made real.