During his earthly life, a specific individual acquired various items, had a lot of fun in multiple businesses, and lived without God. But one day, he became sick with an incurable illness and was terrified of death’s impending arrival. This person was terrified of death, whose unexpected visit he had never considered. So the man called his wife to him and began pleading: “My dear wife, whatever you can do for me is very much appreciated.” And the woman replied tearfully: “How can I help you when the doctors have no advice for you?”
Then he called his son and said: “I have worked for you all my life, more than once exposing myself to danger. I am giving everything I have acquired to you now, but please help me so that I do not suffer like this.” With great regret, the son looked at his father and said: “Dear dad, know that I love you with all my heart. I would be happy to help you if I could, but it is not in my power.”
The patient gathered the entire family, all of the servants, and received the same response. He then uttered a cry of anguish: “Lying world, how cruelly you deceive people! I devoted my body to you that I lost my soul. Is it necessary for me to die as a consequence of this? And where is the pleasure that you said would be mine? Good people, I was deceiving myself. Isn’t it preferable to serve God faithfully and have Him assist me now?”
The Holy Scriptures remind us that it is never too late to change our ways. “In all your deeds, remember your end, and you will not sin forever” (Sirach 7:39).
The man in this story represents all of us. We live without a thought for death, which is specific for each of us. We are so busy with earthly things that we forget about our souls. But when death comes, as it will for everyone, we realize that everything we have acquired on earth is worthless. Only our relationship with God can help us at that moment. This is why it is essential to living according to His will so that we may not be afraid when death comes.
