Third Sunday of Easter

By his death Jesus glorified God.

In today’s gospel we heard Jesus tell Peter:

… when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. He said this signifying by what kind of death he (Peter) would glorify God.”

The passage refers not only to the manner of his execution – an ancient tradition says that Saint Peter was crucified – but to the grace he brought to that final moment.

Earlier in the Gospel of John we heard Jesus reflecting on his approaching death:

"I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Occasionally we hear about someone who died a beautiful death. Under the most appalling of circumstances imaginable, Jesus died the most beautiful death in human history.  The gospels testify to his astonishing grace. Afterward, the centurion in the Gospel of Mark exclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God!” In the Gospel of Saint Luke he declared, “Truly this was an innocent man!”

The question might be asked, “Will my death glorify God?” It will have to be a consummation of my entire life. It will not be a moment of uncharacteristic confidence in God. Rather, we will die as we have lived, and we will be judged as we lived.

A consumer society thinks, “It’s all about me.” Advertisers, pandering to our lower instincts, often tell us how much we “deserve a break today.” This self-indulgent, narcissisitc ideology runs so deeply that our weddings have spawned jokes about “bridezilla,” – a combination of bride and Godzilla. This unfortunate woman thinks the wedding is all about her. She actually believes her wedding should be perfect, and it will be the happiest day of her life. But if she marries in the Catholic Church someone should tell her the sacrament celebrates Jesus Christ first. 

A worse threat to our families and friends is that of Patient-zilla and Deathbed-zilla. Sick people need special care, there’s no question. But as we prepare for our own sick days and death days, are we practicing courage and patience, or self-indulgence?

Hospice care helps us to spend our last days in relative comfort. We go into the program knowing we’re dying and reassured that we will not suffer unnecessarily. As Christians and Catholics we hope we will not be especially afraid of death. With the saints, we hope to welcome our Sister Death as we welcomed Life with all of its trials, adventures, and rewards.


The dying patient may be the captain of the team as he works with doctors, nurses, other staff persons, and his family; but he must "play team" if he hopes to die gracefully. That means he is willing to receive comfort, both spiritual and physical. He is willing to say and ask for what he needs. Too often we expect our friends and family to figure out what we need. But we're not children anymore, and our parents can't read our minds as they once did, if they did. They are not "supposed to know." If you need something, ask for it. Finally the dying patient should practice gratitude for the support he receives. Dying is not easy on anyone; everyone appreciates appreciation. The captain of the team knows that. 

As we take up our crosses each day, dying to self, every day becomes a preparation for death. Our life and death are about God --  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam – for the greater honor and glory of God.