Reflection: The end of our Story – as described by Pope Francis

We are all small and defenceless before the mystery of death.

However, what a grace if at that moment we safeguard in our hearts the flame of faith.

Jesus will take us by the hand, as he took Jairus’ daughter by the hand, and will repeat to each one: “Tal’itha cu’mi”; “Little girl, arise!” (cf. Mk 5:41).

I invite you, now, to close your eyes and think about that moment: of our death.

Each of us think about our own death, and imagine that moment that will come,

when Jesus will take us by the hand and tell us: “Come, come with me, arise”.

There, hope will end and reality will abide, the reality of life.

Jesus himself will come to each of us and take us by the hand,

With his tenderness, his compassion, his love.

This is our hope in the face of death.

For those who believe, it is a door that is thrust open wide;

for those who doubt, it is a glimmer of light that filters through an exit that is not quite completely closed.

But for all of us it will be a grace, when this light, of the encounter with Jesus, illuminates us.