Why do little children die? (Mar. '01)
In answer to that question, St. Athanasios the Great speculated "The infants that leave here in purity will receive salvation there in eternity. Perhaps God called them early to be near Him by intention to avoid living a very sinful life." But, as the Holy Scripture says, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord?" (Romans 11: 33- 34). Indeed, who can know with certainty those things which have not been revealed to us? But, although we may not be certain of the "Why?" we can be certain of the following:
1. GOD IS GOOD: "Good and upright is the Lord" (Psalm 25:8). That means that all God does is good. St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote, "He who gives us the children, He has the authority to take them away from us. And because He is good, His decisions are also good; and because He is wise, He does what is always to our advantage."
2. MANY IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER THAN FEW: "For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul" (The Wisdom of Solomon 4:8-11). If we are saddened by thoughts of the good things and happinesses which the child will not know in this world, it is only fair that we also be grateful that he, now being with Christ, will be spared evil things and sadnesses. St. John Chrysostom wrote, "If you loved your son, now you should rejoice, for he has been spared the sufferings of this life." And putting the following into the mouths of the children, he wrote, "O our fathers, do not weep for us! You wanted to have us near you in this corruptible world where all are filled with grief and pain; where all things are unstable and uncertain. But the Lord God, who loved us, took us away from this vain life, as if from the mouth of a lion." Speaking very frankly, St. Gregory of Nyssa says, "Let me tell you of the so-called 'good things' of this life. Listen
to them: sorrows and pleasures, angers and fears, hopes and desires. What is the evil then that has happened to your child who died early in life and was spared from these many and so powerful tyrants?"
3. ETERNAL LIFE IS BETTER THAN TEMPORAL LIFE: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Is our temporary life here on earth better than the eternal life which is to come for those who are in Christ? Certainly not. St. John the Theologian heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelations 21:4). Writing to a father mourning the death of his son, St. John Chrysostom wrote, "Do you mourn because with the death of your son you will have no heir to your wealth? But what do you desire more? To have your son inherit your property or heaven? What would you have desired for him? To acquire the temporal good things of earth or to inherit those which are permanent and eternal? Now, of course, you do not have him as your heir, for instead of you God Himself has made him His heir. He has not become a co-heir of your property with his brothers, but he has become a co-heir with Christ."
4.) WE LOOK FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COME: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (I Thessalonians 4:14). St. John Chrysostom wrote to a grieving parent, "You desire to see your child? Then live with piety, and quickly you will enjoy that sacred sight ... Again, could it be that you are mourning because your child will no longer return home? Reflect on the fact that the things of this life are unstable and fleeting. Think also that you, too, will die after a while and will go near him ... You also say that you did not have the chance to enjoy him and to be filled with him? You will certainly enjoy him there!"
