In recent months we have witnessed the passing into eternity of two key figures in our world: Her Majesty, the Late Queen Elizabeth II, and at the very end of the year our beloved former Pope, Benedict XVI. Just as the bulletin was going to press another giant in the landscape went home to the Lord – His Eminence George, Cardinal Pell, who died somewhat unexpectedly on January 10^th. It certainly seems like the end of an era, as the postwar generation passes into history. What are we to make of the varied emotions this stirs up in us?

Priests ought to have some helpful words to say at such moments – after all, the (often strangely mechanical) process of death and burial is part of the rich tapestry of parish ministry. Please God may it be a rare occurrence for you, but it is bread and butter for us – and something we are trained to handle. But for all of that, it is still a shock and surprise when it is someone you care about. No soothing words ever adequately match up to the rawness of personal loss.

There’s the point, right there. The loss of these figures, seemingly so lofty and higher up, strikes us at a deeply personal level, because when they are gone, we realize how much our stability depended on them simply being there and being dependable. When they are no longer there, we are tempted to feel as though everything solid is suddenly in flux and vulnerable. At these moments we have to recognize that as a temptation: it is only God who provides stability.

The Carthusians have the motto stat Crux dum volvitur orbis – “the Cross stands while the world turns” – and it is a helpful reminder to us that all our supposed stability can be upended in a flash – therefore, our decisions on this Earth must always retain an element of ‘provisionality’. After all – we are not supposed to stay here.

One thing that unites those three ‘greats,’ which we have known and lost these past months, is their unflinching and singular allegiance to Christ. If we mourn their loss because we will miss their good example, so be it. But what would they want us to do? They would encourage us, all three of them, to get on with it. So get on with it, we shall. With Christ at the forefront of our lives, as they so admirably taught us.