Since reality is stubborn and everything has an end, whether we like it or not, everyone has to take a position in front of it.
The majority, perhaps, will adopt procrastination positions: “It’s not convenient to think about it”, “Now is the time to focus on other more urgent matters”, “Let us enjoy what life gives us today”.
Others come to this conclusion, not to avoid facing the problem of the end, but from focusing solely on the end of everything: everything dies. They take a fundamentally pessimistic stance. They affirm the limits of all things, even those we consider “good” and desirable; Who can excite us in a moment. A pose that very well reflects the Book of Cohelet (Ecclesiastes, 2nd – 3rd centuries BC). A posture that actually exudes an “easy” attitude, as opposed to all forms of delusion or optimism. About 50 or 60 years ago, there was no shortage of ideologies and ways of thinking that justified this position, beginning with the disasters that led to the two terrible world wars. These ways of thinking and living today survive in the attitude that we are “Carpe Diem”, or devotion to the world of drug and hedonistic behavior and, also in those thoughts that justify suicide, euthanasia, etc.
On the other hand, we find posts that preach radical optimism. They are postures whose purpose is to make the full progress of society and history. Their motto is “Tomorrow, undoubtedly, will be better”. They are convinced that human beings, free from all social conditioning and by their own strength, are capable of leading the world towards the fulfillment of all desires. It had its version in Marxist ideological programs and capitalist optimism under the undisputed banner of “progress”. Today we see this reflected in the messages that constantly reach us through the media, such as “you can achieve everything you set your mind to”, “don’t let them put limits on your dreams”. Give”, “Together we will achieve this.”
Looking at these positions before the end of everything, some would think that the Christian occupies an intermediate position, neither pessimism nor optimism. but it’s not like that. Christian is located on the second floor, has a different view of life and is not defined from a psychological point of view. The Christian begins with a premise: he is given life, he lives because someone has called him into existence. He also knows that this gift has given him some means, some specific gifts, to be able to face the daily challenge of survival. On the other hand, although existence in this world is marked by successes and failures, the victories of life and the forms of death, virtue and sin, he knows that the one who gave him existence created him by his sight, his presence and his love. keeps. .. He is always before the Father, the Creator and the Caring God: He has been called into existence and is lovingly sustained in Him:
You love all beings and do not hate what you have done; If you hated something, you wouldn’t make it. How can you be a creature if you don’t want it? How can they be preserved if you didn’t order it? You have mercy on all, because everyone, Lord, is yours and you love everything that has life, because your immortal soul is in all beings. (sub 11,24-12,1)
So what does the end of everything mean for the Christian? Firstly, he neither runs away from her nor ignores her. Secondly, his gaze is objective, he has eyes for good and evil. Third, he does not live alone, his great interlocutor is God the Father. Fourth, he will not be afraid of anything, because he already lives in a saved world and history: life has already won and will be conquered.
