The traditional Santa Marija pastoral letter by the archbishop of Malta and the bishop of Gozo, which is being read in all Masses celebrated this weekend, focuses on the meaning of Mary’s death and assumption for Christians.

One question asked by man throughout his life, the bishops begin, is what kind of future awaits him. It is a question asked by many parents worried about their children; by students who will soon return to school; by young people looking for work; by engaged couples planning to get married; by pensioners who have retired from work; by sick people seeking medical treatment; by those who experience a marriage breakdown and would like to start a new life.

At the same time, they add, we are living in a culture that tries to make us forget that there is life after death. Some people appear to be concerned only about the present without thinking about tomorrow; others are more interested in life as it is here and now, than in eternal life.

One is not surprised that among the many the ailments facing our society today, one finds a lack of those ethical values that normally act as a sure guide for the sectors of work and culture, for scientific research and the therapeutic application of its discoveries, for the lifestyle adopted by citizens and families, as well as for political and legislative choices.

One is not surprised that we have a mentality where we do not feel obliged to explain our actions to anyone! For if we live our life as if God did not exist, as if we kill God, everything becomes licit. Is it not God who is the source of truth and of good? If we do not believe that someday we have to appear before God and explain our actions, what is it that will help us be self-responsible and responsible towards others?

It is urgent and crucial, the bishops continue, that the ecclesial community in our country rediscovers and proposes to today’s weak society the other dimension of life in this world, that we often forget: eternal life.

If in the recent past there were those who started thinking that the teaching about “the last things” was no longer applicable and did not make any sense, today this truth of our faith as we profess it in the Creed is one of the signs of the times because it offers at one and the same time a challenge and an answer to man and society, confused as they are about the future.

St Gorg Preca used to speak often about the “Last Things”. This future shown to us by God does not concern solely that which awaits us after death, when we meet God face to face, but offers us a purpose for our life to be put into effect in our life of today.

Indeed, Christian hope is not alienation or escape from the commitment of everyday life.

If we are not walking towards eternity from today, we are new pagans! Because whoever does not believe in eternal life, would not have in him the desire to be united to God to enjoy his beautiful face; would not have enough strength and light to fight against sin and evil.

As a consequence of this, man would have a clouded vision regarding that which makes human life a beautiful and full experience: about what man is, the value of life, the importance of relationships in the family and the community, the quality of the relations between the social partners, education and the transmission of values, the attention towards those in need, civic sense, and respect for legality.

Indeed, if one knows that one has to appear before God, would one lie, steal or kill? If, before one betrays the spouse and one’s family, one recognises that infidelity is a sin with its eternal consequences, would one proceed to commit such a betrayal? If we are convinced that we belong to God and also that others belong to him, would we not think twice before we commit something that causes a scandal?

If you know that one day you will hear God telling you, “I was hungry and you did not feed me... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me... I was naked and you did not clothe me... I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me,” would you not be more careful in your dealings with your neighbour?

If I know that I have to answer to God for my irresponsible actions, would I not be more careful to respect that which forms part of the common good, such as the material resources and the cultural and environmental heritage of the country?

Many of us have never rejected the truth of the Resurrection and the promise of Eternal Life, but chose to put it aside to avoid thinking about it. However, when we are facing death, or the death of someone dear to us, we start thinking and speaking about heaven. Why not start to reflect and speak today about that which you know you will start thinking about in those circumstances?