A homily in 1990: 'Every day, we are one day closer to our death'

A homily I heard in 1990 profoundly changed my perspective on life.

An Indian priest said only one thing is certain in life: death. 

I cannot recall the name of the Indian priest who was serving at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Was it Father Joseph? I cannot remember but I cannot forget his words.  He said we will all die, in God’s time, and that “every day we are one day closer to our death.”

Whether we live to be 20, 40, 100 years old or more, everyday we are one day closer to our death.

To hear this, as a young college student, was somewhat disturbing but the priest said we should not think of death as something morbid or dreadful.

The priest said death is a beautiful thing, it is the most glorious moment of our lives as it is when we meet God face to face.

The priest said God has chosen a specific number of years for each of us to spend on this earth and from the moment we are born, we begin moving one day closer to our death.

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

As we go through life, we will face many uncertainties: Will I be a success or a failure? Rich or poor? Healthy or sick? Happy or lonely? 

No one can predict how our lives will unfold, from one moment to the next.

We cannot predict how or when we will die but death is certain. Knowing we will one day pass away should change the way we live each day, the priest said.

Are we living our lives to the fullest or wasting the time that God has graciously given us?

If a year has 365 days, we each get 365 days but how do we spend each of those 365 days? Only for ourselves, thinking of our own interests? Or do we think of God and spend time serving others?

WHAT CAN YOU BRING TO HEAVEN OR HELL?

When we pass away, we cannot take anything with us. We will leave behind all worldly possessions — jewelry, watches, designer clothing, or mobile phones and other gadgets.

The only “things” we can bring with us when we die are: our memories and the merits of our good works, he said.

Memories can either comfort or haunt us when we die, the priest said.

While we are alive, we should consciously create happy memories. Spending pleasant moments with family and friends and doing good to others will bring us a sense of peace and comfort in death.



Conversely, every evil and harm we have caused others through selfishness, greed, or dishonesty — will only haunt us in the end.

Nothing is hidden from God; He sees and knows everything.  God is good and  but He is also “just.” 

Ultimately, we will all face His justice. For those who did their best to live according to God’s holy will, a generous reward from God awaits them in Heaven.

Sadly, for those who willfully disobeyed God and deliberately caused harm to others, punishment awaits them in Hell where intense fires burn eternally.

HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS STAGES

The Indian priest’s homily came to mind because the Pope’s prayer intention for July is respect for human life. 

Specifically, the Pontiff, through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, calls for the "respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God."

The recent passing of our beloved aunt, Tita Lita, has moved me to reflect on mortality. She was our mother’s younger sister and cherished best friend.

Tita Lita endured a long and difficult battle with cancer. A few months before she passed, she shared with me that she could no longer bear the pain and expressed a wish for her suffering to end. She asked, "I don't know what to do, anak," wondering if she should simply wait for the hours to pass.

I told Tita that I believe God had not yet called her home for a reason and that even in our most painful moments, life remains beautiful and filled with God's grace.

I also shared with our aunt some words of wisdom from Father Adolf Faroni, an elderly Italian priest who served as our confessor for nearly 20 years until he passed away in his late 80s.

Father Faroni often said that we should never waste our sufferings; when we offer them to God, He can turn them into blessings.

Tita Lita, you have lived your life well, filled with love of God, family, and neighbor.

You are now gone but your good example will live with us. Your kindness and generosity were boundless.

We can never aspire to achieve half of what you did but as we go through life, we will always think of you, pray for you, and love you.

-Veronica Velarde-Pulumbarit/Paraluman News