CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Today’s Conley Commentary is a Friday on faith.
My grandmother has been dead for many years now. And in her final days, she was convinced she was not going to heaven. She thought that there were too many sins on her ledger, and that she was unacceptable for eternal life.
I’m not my grandmother’s confessor. I have no idea what her wrongs were. I do know that in her final days, she asked to see a priest. And when she died, that Father told our family that grandma had reconciled with God, confessed her sins, and was at peace when her life ended.
One of the things we don’t talk about enough is that our faith is supposed to comfort us in our old age. The sincere belief that we are destined for something better after we leave this earth, eternal life, makes death doable. I pity people who are near the end of their lives and have no faith. If you believe the end really is the end… that all that awaits you is darkness and decay and nothingness… well, death really would be terrifying.
And if you are nearing the end of your life and you believe it is too late to turn to God, it isn’t.
Jesus was crucified with two thieves on either side of him. One mocked him. “If you really are the Messiah, save yourself, and save us too.”
But the other rebuked him. “How can you say that? You’re under the same sentence. We are getting the punishment we deserve. This man is innocent. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And Christ turned to the second thief, and said, “Truly I tell you, you will be with me in paradise this very day.”
A sinful man. Saved. In the final moments of his life.
As it was for him, it can be for you.
I’m Chris Conley.
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