Some years ago, I complained of body aches to my doctor who suggested that I undergo a thorough medical check-up. As I lay inside the MRI tube, feeling nervous and claustrophobic, it suddenly dawned on me that my body was slowly dying.
When I shared the experience to some of our priests, they were alarmed, and one asked with deep concern, “Really, Bishop?” To which I responded, “Yes, my body is dying… and so is yours.” Indeed, I feel that everyday my body is dying not only because my bones are aching. My eyesight too is starting to dim, my teeth are diminishing, my mobility is declining, and my memory is failing. And this is true with all of us.
Today the gospel speaks of the end of the world. Jesus gives signs of its coming: calamities, wars and persecutions. When will it happen? Will we ever live to see the day? Nobody knows. Jesus himself admits that only the Father knows. Chances are we may not. The signs have been with us throughout the centuries, and we’re still around. Besides Jesus tells us today, “Do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
While we may not see the end of the world, we will surely see the end of our world, our life. No day is more certain than our own death. Are we ready for it? How do we prepare? In the same gospel Jesus teaches us how to prepare for the last day. He tells us three things: not to be deceived, not to be terrified and to persevere.
“See that you not be deceived for many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he.’” Death is a homecoming. It is going back to the Father’s house, and no less than Jesus himself welcomes us to say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Mt 25:34)
Will we recognize him at our death? We will, if we recognize him in our life. If we recognize his face in the poor and the needy, if we recognize his voice in the Word and his presence in the sacraments, if we recognize his will in our daily duties.
“Do not be terrified; for such things must happen first.” If in death Jesus comes to fetch and take us home, then death is not something to fear but to rejoice about. The revelation of the end times is primarily meant to be a proclamation of great joy, an announcement of the final coming of Jesus who will establish God’s kingdom definitively. During our seminary days, our monthly recollection used to be called an Exercise for a Happy Death.
The apocalyptic image of destruction and upheaval preceding the coming of Jesus is symbolical. It means that the new order which Jesus comes to establish requires that the old order must be destroyed. The seed must first die if it is to live and bear much fruit. Hence my dying daily must not only be a biological process, but a moral one as well. I must also be willing to die each day to my pride, my lust, my attachments and all that hinder the coming of Jesus.
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” One of my realizations from my MRI experience was that all I have today is what is left of my life. I remember a poster I read in one jeepney saying, “Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.”
How many more days do I have to live? I’ll never know. The sudden demise of several victims in the recent typhoon Tino simply tells us that death comes unexpectedly at any moment and that it respects neither age nor status.
All that we have in real time is what is left of our life. Every day is precious. We cannot afford to waste it. Today’s gospel reminds us to spend what remains of our life us on things that really matter, like our relationships: with God, with our dear ones, as well as with everyone for they all are brothers and sisters in Christ.