Death Row
Stories
56 Stories For Preaching
"I'm afraid to die," Tony said.
"Death is one of life's great mysteries." The chaplain was
philosophical. "No one has come back from death to tell us what
it's like."
"What about all those near-death stories? Every one of them
tells about someone seeing a bright light and hearing beautiful
music. What about those stories, Padre?"
Chaplain Burnes removed his rimless glasses and rubbed his
eyes. He was tired and sleepy. It was early in the morning, and
the execution was only minutes away. He had been summoned at
around midnight and told that the prisoner was asking for him.
When the cell door clanked open for him, he found Tony sitting
dejectedly on his cot, his fists clenched, his knuckles white.
"What about those stories, Padre?" Tony was asking. "Don't
they tell us what death is like?"
"Perhaps they do. They are consistent, aren't they? Always
bright lights. Always beautiful music. But we should keep in mind
that these are near-death stories, not death stories."
"Do you believe in hell, Padre?"
"Sometimes we create our own hell on earth."
"Answer the question. Don't give me a sermon. Do you believe
in hell, the kind murderers like me go to when they die? Eternal
fire and Satan stoking the coals and all that."
"It is hard for me to believe that our God who is love would
create such a punishment for his own creations -- whatever their
crimes. But I have no trouble with heaven where God has an
eternal home for those who believe in his son."
"I guess that's not for me."
"Don't say that, Tony. You have only to believe."
"What are they saying outside the prison walls? I was told
that every time one of us goes up that crowds gather outside the
prison walls. They wave banners and signs, and when it's
announced that it's over, they let out a big cheer. Is there a
crowd like that out there for me?"
"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't. But there are a number
of people out there praying for you. They are praying that the
governor will grant a last minute stay of execution."
"My execution has already been stayed four times. Is that
cruel and unusual punishment, or what? I could say, let's get it
over with except for one thing. I'm afraid to die. I'm afraid
that I'll act like a coward when I go those last few steps to the
chamber."
"There is no need to walk in fear. I will walk with you, and
if you'll believe in him, Jesus will walk with you."
The cell door clanged open. The guard said, "It's time."
Tony and Chaplain Burnes walked together down the corridor to
his rendezvous. As he was about to enter the chamber, he turned
and gave the padre a trace of a smile.
"Death is one of life's great mysteries." The chaplain was
philosophical. "No one has come back from death to tell us what
it's like."
"What about all those near-death stories? Every one of them
tells about someone seeing a bright light and hearing beautiful
music. What about those stories, Padre?"
Chaplain Burnes removed his rimless glasses and rubbed his
eyes. He was tired and sleepy. It was early in the morning, and
the execution was only minutes away. He had been summoned at
around midnight and told that the prisoner was asking for him.
When the cell door clanked open for him, he found Tony sitting
dejectedly on his cot, his fists clenched, his knuckles white.
"What about those stories, Padre?" Tony was asking. "Don't
they tell us what death is like?"
"Perhaps they do. They are consistent, aren't they? Always
bright lights. Always beautiful music. But we should keep in mind
that these are near-death stories, not death stories."
"Do you believe in hell, Padre?"
"Sometimes we create our own hell on earth."
"Answer the question. Don't give me a sermon. Do you believe
in hell, the kind murderers like me go to when they die? Eternal
fire and Satan stoking the coals and all that."
"It is hard for me to believe that our God who is love would
create such a punishment for his own creations -- whatever their
crimes. But I have no trouble with heaven where God has an
eternal home for those who believe in his son."
"I guess that's not for me."
"Don't say that, Tony. You have only to believe."
"What are they saying outside the prison walls? I was told
that every time one of us goes up that crowds gather outside the
prison walls. They wave banners and signs, and when it's
announced that it's over, they let out a big cheer. Is there a
crowd like that out there for me?"
"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't. But there are a number
of people out there praying for you. They are praying that the
governor will grant a last minute stay of execution."
"My execution has already been stayed four times. Is that
cruel and unusual punishment, or what? I could say, let's get it
over with except for one thing. I'm afraid to die. I'm afraid
that I'll act like a coward when I go those last few steps to the
chamber."
"There is no need to walk in fear. I will walk with you, and
if you'll believe in him, Jesus will walk with you."
The cell door clanged open. The guard said, "It's time."
Tony and Chaplain Burnes walked together down the corridor to
his rendezvous. As he was about to enter the chamber, he turned
and gave the padre a trace of a smile.
