Today, the Responsorial Psalm reminds us of what awaits every mortal – death:
You are dust and unto dust, you shall return.
We all want to die a happy death – at peace with God and our fellow men and women. But how can we achieve that? As I reflected on death, I was drawn to read again Thomas A Kempis classic ‘The Imitation of Christ’. He says: “How happy and prudent is he who tries now in life to be what he wants to be found in death. Perfect contempt of the world (meaning that which is opposed to Christ), a lively desire to advance in virtue, a love for discipline, the works of penance, readiness to obey, self-denial, and the endurance of every hardship for the love of Christ, these will give a man great expectations of a happy death”
We do not know when we will die – whether as a young person or as a senior. As I write this, I’m shedding a few tears for the news I received this morning. My relative passed on few days ago. He was only 27. Please pray for the repose of his soul. His name is Osita. Thomas A Kempis was right when he said: “Very soon your life will end; consider, then, what may be in store for you elsewhere. Today, we live; tomorrow we die…. oh, the dullness and hardness of the heart which looks only to the present instead of preparing for that which is to come!”
When the Psalmist reminds us that we return to dust, it seems as if that is our final destination. No, the Psalmist today also says: “In you Lord is our dwelling place.” Though our bodies will decay at death, our soul leaves immediately to go and meet our Maker. Our bodies someday will be raised. It will be a new body, splendid, glorious – according to the pattern of the Risen body of Christ in whom we have been baptized.
Will the day of meeting with our God be a fearful day? How should we prepare? St. Josephine Bakhita – a slave girl from Sudan didn’t know there was a God who created her and loved her. All she knew in this life was slavery – sold from one master to another, until the day when she heard that there was another Master – the Lord of Lords – that this Master created her, loves her and is waiting for her at the end of her life. Josephine’s heart melted and she exclaimed: “Someone loves me?… someone awaits me at the end?…” Her life was changed forever. He who has welcomed Josephine into His Kingdom also awaits us. Love awaits us at the end.
How do we prepare for our meeting with Him? Thomas A Kempis says: “Therefore, in every deed and every thought, act as though you were to die this very day. If you had a good conscience you would not fear death very much. It is better to avoid sin than to fear death. If you are not prepared today, how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day… keep yourself as a stranger here on earth, a pilgrim … keep your heart free and raise it up to God, for you have not here a lasting home. To Him direct your daily prayers, your sighs and tears that your soul may merit after death to pass in happiness to the Lord.”
How do we prepare for our funeral? To be continued next week.
If you have any questions, please feel free to talk to me at any time.
In you Lord is our dwelling place. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Your brother,
Fr. Obi