Fear of death is a typical human reaction. We all feel sad at the death of someone in the prime of life, especially if they were a particularly good or likeable person. Many are innocent victims, and we ask where the justice is. And yet Wisdom gently encourages us not to judge by outward appearances. A long life is not necessarily better than a short one; it is the quality of life that counts. And good people who die at the hands of evil people or systems are not the losers. Those who fail to recognize the true meaning of life and who have not made an honest effort to be a kind and just person are the losers and they are the ones to be pitied. But God never gives up on anyone. After all, God's love for us is so strong that Jesus was willing to die for us as we are, without any prior conditions. God meets us wherever we are in our lives. Jesus accepts all who come to him.

No one is rejected or sent away. We are called to 'see' the son and believe in him. Obviously, we cannot see Jesus in the literal physical sense. To 'see' in the gospel of John means to understand and experience, and to see Jesus means that we recognize his presence in our lives and in other people. We are asked to make Jesus part of our lives. To 'believe' means to surrender to Jesus. Not only that, we are expected to make his teachings the guiding and shining light of our lives. We are asked to have as our heart's desire the goal of being a just and loving person.