Death

Jacob's Ladder
 Jacob saw that the angels were ascending and descending on the ladder in his dream.

Lord Jesus also affirmed this: 

"I tell you most solemnly, you will see Heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending." - Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:51)

What saddened me is that I failed to attend the funeral of the respected priest, due to my work commitment. Nevertheless, I offered up my prayers for the repose of his soul. I had never met this wonderful priest but I had heard good stories about him. However, it is not tragic event though the Holy Church might lose one shepherd. Rather it is joyful story, because he is not dying, but entering into the eternal life, which he had been working hard for. We have been promised the divine mercy by Christ Himself, so we ought to be confident that he has already received the citizenship of Heaven - sainthood.

This evening suddenly dawned upon me a reminder - a decision which I made years ago. Even in my teenage period, I already perceived that the death is inevitable for everyone. Rich or poor, everyone shares the same soil under the grass. I remembered one fateful night when I saw an important Person in my dream. The moment I woke up, I dropped everything and decided to follow my gut feeling to find this Man. Eventually, I came to the Holy Catholic Church which He established two thousands years ago and got to know Him as my Saviour and my God. His Name is Jesus Christ. I also got to know His Mother, Blessed Virgin Mary whom He loved so much.

Today, on the two hours journey to home, I looked back and pondered on my reflections which stirred up the mixed emotions. Yet there is no regret. I was overjoyed that I came to the decision to give up all my past dreams which I now find useless, and pin all my hopes in God and Mama Mary. Indeed, all the achievements such as trophies, highest degrees after the names, and financial power can only last on the earth but not forever. When we reach the door of death, everything crumbles into the dust. But there is only one goal that can reward the eternal prize: the sainthood - the crown of eternal life. God will certainly remember all the virtues we displayed to others, and surprisedly has very bad memory of our past sins when we reach the Heaven. So when I die (Oh no, I mean entering into eternal life), I want to  offer up something to God pleasing Him as my gratitude though I am nothing out of nothing.

“Where most men work for degrees after their names, we work for one before our names: 'Saint'. It's a much more difficult degree to attain. It takes a lifetime, and you don't get your diploma until you're dead.” 

- Mother Angelica

Eccentrically, I found myself happy for having stubborn faith in God despite all my sufferings and hardships. I do not even have deep knowledge of divine and lofty matters. The faith is just there. Maybe it was my instincts which insisted on the truism of God, whom I chose to obey. Or was it our mutual love which prompted me to take advantages of all opportunities to please Him?

"I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe." 

- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Perhaps I should be happy as I sacrificed my own will and took in as my own the mind of the Holy Catholic Church. Through the Church, I studied Lord Jesus' teachings and learnt how to become a saint from Him. For long time, I never forget the Proverbs 1:7 - "To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord God." 

What are your thoughts? Have you thought of the death yet? Are you ready to face God anytime? 

It is time for me to get lost into the Catholic spirituality.