In “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, the daring Admiral James T. Kirk declares, “I don’t believe in no-win situations.” Neither does Paul in today’s verse. He truly believes that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:38-39). Since this is so, Paul sees death, not as a hole, but as a door. On this side of the door, we can live and pour out love on the world. When we go through the door, we pass from glory to glory. It’s a win-win situation.
Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.
