Shirin McArthur

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Today the church celebrates All Souls’ Day. It’s the first year that I can add my father to the list of the “faithful departed” we remember on this day.

Four years ago, Saint Philip’s hosted an All Souls’ Day Retreat entitled “Embracing Mortality: Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying.” As part of that day, I led a workshop called “Claiming Our Stories: Practicing Spiritual Autobiography.” In our time together, I helped people recall experiences of God’s presence throughout their lives, delve more deeply into one or two of those memories, and consider what kind of spiritual legacy they wish to leave behind for friends and loved ones.

I’m also conscious of our mortality these days because one year ago, a group of Saint Philip’s pilgrims was preparing to journey together to the Holy Land. This year, such a journey would not be possible because war has once again erupted in Israel, and hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed.

Generally, we don’t know when we will die. My father was taking two-mile walks with my mom up until he was admitted to the hospital three weeks before he died. Some are in hospice and expect it to happen soon, but most of us have no idea we could suddenly be stopped in our tracks by debilitating illness or death.

This is one reason why it’s important to face and address our mortality. I’m grateful that Saint Philip’s talks openly about how to prepare for the end of our life here on earth. Life is a gift, but we usually aren’t given the gift of knowing its length.

How well have you accepted your mortality? Are your medical, legal, and spiritual affairs in order? What stories from your own spiritual autobiography might you like to leave as a legacy, and how might you go about doing that?

Peace,

—Shirin

Some parts of this message first appeared on my blog on October 28, 2019.