Life, Death and Metaphor

Analogy and metaphor. I love them.

I recall my spiritual advisor, a Franciscan friar named Raymond, telling me a story in the monastery gardens one summer afternoon to help me grasp the essence of a complex theological conundrum. “Picture this…” he said, and as the story unfolded, I felt the fog gradually dissipate. Since then, I have been an advocate of the art of analogy.

Metaphor allows us to explore complex ideas, process subtle messages, and engage on a deeper level by presenting a narrative with multiple layers of meaning. They are a powerful tool for illustrating complex concepts and revealing hidden meanings.

Picture this…

Understanding questions about life and death can be challenging, especially during times of grief. When we’re grieving, it’s often hard to see the bigger picture. Grief can feel dark and isolating, so providing some clarity and understanding during this difficult time can be incredibly helpful. Over the past 26 years, I have gathered many analogies and metaphor, creating a treasure trove of thoughts and ideas that have proven to be incredibly helpful to many. Some of them are religious, but so many of them are not.

Bishop Charles Henry Brent

Charles Henry Brent (April 9, 1862 – March 27, 1929) was the first Missionary Bishop of the Philippine Islands for the Episcopal Church, serving from 1902 to 1918. He also held the position of Chaplain General of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I from 1917 to 1918, and was the Bishop of the Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Western New York from 1918 until his death in 1929. The historian and Episcopal minister Frederick Ward Kates described him as a “gallant, daring, and consecrated soldier and servant of Christ,” recognising him as one of modern Christendom’s foremost leaders, prophets, and seers.

From his earliest memories, Brent felt a calling to the ordained ministry. He once stated:

“I do not recall a moment in my life when I aspired to any vocation other than that of the ministry, except for a brief period when I considered becoming a musician. Throughout my time in school, the ministry seemed to be the only vocation worth pursuing. If I were once again at the threshold of life, I would choose as I have chosen.”

His story and reasoning resonates.

Death is a Transition

In 2003, he wrote a poem that I often use as a metaphor during funeral ceremonies. It offers a comforting perspective on death, viewing it as a transition rather than an end. The central image of the poem depicts a ship sailing into the distance. The loss of sight from the shore does not signify the loss of the ship itself, but rather a change in perspective – a great analogy! It suggests that while we may appear “gone” from each other’s sight, we remain just as vibrant and capable in our own journeys, with others waiting to welcome us. I believe this poem should not be taken literally but rather understood as a source of comfort and reassurance, and I use it for this purpose only.

What is dying? by Bishop Charles Henry Brent

I am standing on the seashore. A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object and I stand watching her Till at last she fades from the horizon,

And someone at my side says, “She is gone!” Gone where?  Gone from my sight, that is all; She is just as large in the masts, hull and spars as she was when I saw her,

And just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination. The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her; And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “She is gone”,

There are others who are watching her coming, And other voices take up a glad shout, “There she comes” – and that is dying.

More Analogy and Metaphor to Follow

In the coming month, I will share more stories and metaphors. Be sure to visit again, as some of them are truly captivating.

“Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space”.  – Orson Scott Card

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