LENT DAY 25: HOW TO CHEAT DEATH. (Homily for March 9, 2016. Wednesday of the 4th Week of Lent)


Bible Study: Isiah 49, 8 to 15 and John 5, 17 to 30.


The fact that human beings die is a very sad and humiliating reality. When we hear that a person we once knew has died, a lot of things come to our mind, one of which is the definite fear that it could just have been us. There is a tendency to immediately double our efforts to try to preserve our own life by all means. We just don’t want to die.

For instance, following the death of a top official in our country in a motor accident due to a tyre burst, so many messages have been circulating on social media on how to prevent such from happening. Even those who have been driving for years and never knew there was anything like an expiry date for car tyre are now forced to bend down to check their tyre.

If despite our latest advancement in science and technology, human beings still die, it means that no matter how careful we are, no matter how rich or intelligent we are, we must all die someday. Cheating death is not about being able to live for hundred or two hundred years. The only way we can cheat death is to live in such a manner as to avoid the eternal damnation of hell.

This is exactly what Jesus desires for us. Hence he says: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” John 5, 28 to 29.  If only we can put in as much effort in avoiding hell as we do in trying to avoid death, it would really make a lot of sense.

So, how do we overcome death? Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life.” John 5, 24. This is the best way to cheat death - To gain this Eternal Life that Jesus is talking about. This is God’s ultimate wish for us that we are united with him forever. As the prophet Isaiah assures us in the first reading, “Can a woman forget her sucking child? Even if she does forget, God will never forget us.”

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, I place my life in your hands. I know I must die one day but when it happens, may I not perish in hell. Amen.


God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.

No comments:

Post a Comment