THROUGH UNTRUE
Since 1982, there have been at least 38 recorded cases of people coming back to life after being pronounced dead. This strange phenomenon is known as “Lazarus syndrome,” which refers to the spontaneous return of normal cardiac activity after multiple failed attempts to resuscitate the heart.
This name likely comes from the biblical story of Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead four days after he had died (John 11:1-45). However, Lazarus’ experience was not a true resurrection, as he eventually died again, just like the individuals who have experienced the modern-day “Lazarus syndrome.” Jesus simply prolonged his earthly life. Today, contemporary scientists and medical doctors are doing everything to make this possible.
Before the advent of modern medicine, the average lifespan of humans was about 40 years. Today, this has doubled, thanks to gene therapy, rejuvenation technology, stem cell implants, replacement of body parts with artificial organs, cryogenics, robotics, and new generations of antibiotics and vaccines. Some scientists optimistically predict that we will live forever in this world.
Nevertheless, the rock band Queen’s song “Who Wants to Live Forever?” questions why we would want to extend our lives indefinitely when many of us often struggle to find meaning and fulfilment in our everyday lives. We don’t even know what to do during a boring weekend. Living forever in this world would become a curse rather than a blessing if the quality of our life fails to keep pace with our extended lifespan. We may find ourselves wishing for death when there is nothing left to experience or enjoy.
Our obsession with immortality is fueled by our fear of death. We are afraid to die because we equate death with nothingness and extinction. And we look at it this way because we want a future where our idea of a happy, contented, and peaceful earthly life is preserved, although prolonged to infinity. Despite centuries of Christianity, we have not yet fully understood that in death, life is changed, not ended.
When I was still a seminarian, one of our teachers always inserted “eternal life” in his every talk, sermon, and lecture. You would think that because he loved eternal life so much, he would die young. But no, he died at the age of 90.
He once told a story in his class about a man whose wife died unexpectedly. After the funeral, he rummaged through his wife’s closet and saw the many beautiful dresses, perfumes, and shoes that she had bought and reserved for special occasions in the future. Unfortunately, she never got to use those because of her untimely death. So the man vowed never to save anything for a special occasion. His wife’s death taught him that each day, each hour, and each minute is special. Every moment is unrepeatable.
Our teacher told us that if we live intensely in the present, perform our daily task with enthusiasm and dedication, and never to postpone for tomorrow important decisions that have to be made today, then our earthly life becomes a foretaste of eternal life.
Eternal life is not something we wait to happen in the future. We make it happen today. As Queen's song goes:
“Who waits forever anyway?
Forever is our today.”