Most of us are at ease in discussing what makes for a good life, but we typically become tongue-tied and nervous when the discussion turns to a good death.
I humbly invite you to read the full essay by Richard John Neuhaus, who died yesterday (January 8th) at the age of 72. It’s brilliantly written, rooted in life and death, and worth printing out and re-reading again and again.
The essay isn’t short, but stick with. He writes about his earlier brush with death at the end, which brings all the parts together. What a storyteller! I’ve never read Neuhaus until today, but now I feel like I’ve just started a conversation with him.
Neuhaus realized that we are “born toward death” and suffer from our denial of it. Life exists in this moment, and death is also here in this moment. Have courage both to live and die well.
Again, a story is the backbone of this essay, here’s another thoughtful nudge:
All philosophy begins in wonder, said the ancients. With exceptions, contemporary philosophy stops at wonder. We are told: don’t ask, don’t wonder, about what you cannot know for sure. But the most important things of everyday life we cannot know for sure. We cannot know them beyond all possibility of their turning out to be false. We order our loves and loyalties, we invest our years with meaning and our death with hope, not knowing for sure, beyond all reasonable doubt, whether we might not have gotten it wrong. What we need is a philosophy that enables us to speak truly, if not clearly, a wisdom that does not eliminate but comprehends our doubt.
UPDATE: While the essay I’ve just linked to is eloquent and highly recommended, I was too hasty in concluding that I’ll be reading more of Neuhaus’ work. After reading a bit more about him, I realize he has been active in the “culture wars” calling for religion and morality as a solution to social ills. I’m sure that I would agree with him about many things, but I don’t agree with his approach to religion and public life.
Two girls living with HIV in Cambodia
These are my young friends, Srey Nu and Kunthy, who are living with HIV. They are wonderfully and joyfully alive, and they are living with a fatal virus kept in check by daily doses of toxic drugs. Embracing them with open eyes, I embrace both life and death in them — will I do them same for myself?
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Andy – Thanks for the reference to Neuhaus’ article. I had read it back when he died a few weeks ago, and you are totally right on. A wonderful, thougtful piece. I love “First Things” and hope it will continue to be a superb publication.