The sublimation of eternal life over death

On this day, our hearts turn to a moment of reflection and memory, where finitude meets eternity: All Souls’ Day. When we revisit the memories of those who left, we delve into the philosophical depths that death presents to us. Saint Augustine, one of the pillars of Christian theology, offers us a perspective that transcends mourning, inviting us to see death as a vital link in the journey of existence. For him, death is not the end point, but rather a transition, a portal that takes us to a higher dimension. About this, Augustine teaches us: “Death is nothing. I have only passed to the other side of the Path. I am I, you are you. What I was to you, I will continue to be (…) You who are there stay, move on, life goes on, beautiful and beautiful as it always was.” It is clear that Augustine encourages us to consider life after death not as a mere continuation, but as the full realization of the divine purpose.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, in turn, shares a convergent vision with Augustine, outlining death as a path towards bliss. For him, death is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a more intimate union with God. In this theological symphony, Augustine and Thomas intertwine their voices, agreeing that death is not the extinguishing of light, but the entry into a more intense clarity. However, Saint Francis of Assisi, the “Poverello”, weaves a different melody. For the saint who embraced poverty and simplicity, death is a sister, a friend who leads us to the encounter with the Creator. In its singular perspective, death is not just a portal, but an ally that frees us from earthly bonds, allowing us to fly into the arms of the Divine.

Augustine, Thomas and Francis, each in their own way, point to the beauty that transcends death, inviting us to face this mystery with optimistic eyes. Therefore, when we pay tribute to those who have departed, let us celebrate not only the longing, but the certainty that, according to these Doctors of the Church, death is the prelude to something great. Amid the tears of farewell, let us cultivate the hope that blossoms in the certainty that, beyond this world, a life awaits us that transcends our most vivid imagination. May this All Souls’ Day be more than a journey, but a celebration of the transcendence of life beyond death. May the words of Augustine, Thomas and Francis echo in our hearts, reminding us that, even in death, we find the promise of eternal rebirth. Peace and light!