On June 22, 2026, just this past Monday, I finished a real project of a book: the classic The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Not that my judgment in this regard matters in the grand scheme of literary criticism, but I would rate it as an excellent book. The characters came to life, the philosophical questions and musings made me think, and I was drawn into the drama of the story. I might even say I was too much drawn in, based on how I felt when I finished the book.
As I finished that last page, I felt the emotion that I assume most people who read this book feel: Utter disappointment, as though something is unfinished. That might sound alarming or surprising, based on my “excellent” rating of this great work of literature. And truly, I am not disappointed in the book itself, I am disappointed in the fact that Dostoyevsky was not. actually. finished. with the story! He planned to write another, even better, book based on the future life of the main character, and all the indications of an imminent great adventure are present there at the end of the book.
Unfortunately, however, Dostoyevsky died very soon after finishing only the first installment, which we know as the great novel, The Brothers Karamazov. Now, I know death is never convenient, or timely, or in any way in accord with our hopeful expectations. A case such as this unfinished story only brings out the pain of death even more. Anyone could think of a future life for that main character, but no one can think of precisely the future life that Dostoyevsky would have written. No one has his mind, his experiences, his personality, his insight into the human condition!
I wonder if, more than anything, I and those other readers of this novel feel “robbed” – robbed by death. Maybe that’s a silly feeling, but I think it is the truth.
And this experience, I believe, points to a reality that we hold dearly as Christians: we live for another world. Yes, we love this world and the gifts God has given us in it, but we hold it lightly. It is temporary, and we await a future life that is not temporary. Through hope, we hold tightly even now to a future life that will last for all eternity, in joy and peace and an utter lack of that disappointing feeling of robbery. Nothing will be robbed from us in that life; in fact, everything will be given and received in joy, with a sense of fullness that only grows and grows.
I am still very grateful I read the book and peered into the mind of Fyodor Dostoyevsky for a time. If I still care by the time I reach my heavenly goal, I’ll ask him about that next novel!
With all this in mind, I have to also share that I’m signing off of writing bulletin articles for now. Fortunately, this is by my choice, not by death (God-willing!). Although I remain living at the Cathedral for the next two months, my assignment here is ending and I want to devote more of my time to studying Italian and finishing up other loose ends before I leave the country. I hope you don’t feel “robbed” or disappointed that I am leaving my series unfinished. I assume even St. Francis would say, “Good, focus less on me, more on Jesus!” 🙂
Before I take off in September, I’ll write an actual “Goodbye” article here.
I do still encourage you to read the Life of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure. It contains some wonderfully rich spiritual fruit, perfect for this year of St. Francis. And, if you happen to be disappointed, let this transition too be a reminder of the deep desire for Heaven that rests at the core of your heart. We await a future life where there will be no more death, decay, or disappointment. May we always seek to follow the will of the Father, to enter into his rest forever!