CHRISTIAN DEATH IS THE GATEWAY TO HEAVEN  

By Msgr. John Wynand Katende 

Posted on: Friday, 6th November 2026

“Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42-44). 

I am sure most people want to go to heaven, but we die first. Yet, death is very dreadful, for varied reasons. Self-preservation, natural human aversion to pain, fear of the unknown, deserting loved ones and hard-earned wealth or legacy, and fear of judgment by God could be just some of them.

This Scripture text indicates that the day and hour of physical death remain known to God alone; humans are not given a preview of their final moment in daily life. Yet, we must get prepared for « dreadful » death, anchoring on Divine Mercy, sacramental grace, and the hope of eternal life.  Nevertheless, it takes a saint to be ever ready for death.

I recall the amazing story of St. Francis of Assisi. Upon learning from his physician that his illness was incurable, Francis raised his arms and joyfully greeted death as a « sister» and companion, rather than an enemy. 

More stories from saints reflect the spiritual value of living faithfully in the present moment and attending to one's daily duty, no matter how ordinary, rather than panicking or scrambling at the approach of death. They must have internalized the message of Psalm 63: “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”  By His life, teaching and death, Jesus made death the gateway to heaven. He welcomed His hour of death, because it was a fulfillment of God’s will to save humanity from spiritual death. As He died, He did not say He was finished, but “It is finished” or «It is accomplished ». (John 19:30).  

Christian theology identifies two kinds of death: physical and spiritual. Spiritual death is the soul’s eternal separation from God, known as hell. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus says, “ Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul”. In Romans 14:8, Paul assures Christians that if they die with Christ, they will live with Him. It’s that spirit martyrs choose to suffer and die rather than renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. 

On a very consoling note, God answers our prayers to die in a state of grace, at peace with Him, and free from spiritual fear. It is indeed an act of pure charity to accompany the dying with our prayers.