Death & Fulness
Reflections by Philip G. Roets STL, SSL
Death as Passage
The Christian tradition has always understood death not as an ending but as a passage — a threshold between this life and the fullness of life in God. The Latin word "transitus" captures this beautifully: a crossing over.
The Resurrection of the Body
Christian hope is not merely the survival of the soul but the resurrection of the whole person — body and soul — transformed and glorified. Paul writes: "What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable." (1 Cor 15:42)
Fulness of Life
Jesus said: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) This abundance is not fully realized in this life — it awaits us in the fullness of God's kingdom, where every tear will be wiped away.
Preparing for Death
Phil has written and spoken often about the importance of preparing for death — not with fear, but with faith. A life lived in relationship with God is the best preparation for the moment of death.
The Communion of Saints
Death does not sever the bonds of love. The Church teaches that those who have died in Christ remain in communion with us — the "cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1) who surround and support us on our journey.