HOMILY- ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH Audience: Friends Relatives: Our sorrow for close ones who have died could

have been without consolation, if the Lord had not given us eternal life. Our life would have been worthless if it ended with death. But it is not so as my faith ascertains me, there is other state of life after our physical death. Death is not the end, but rather a new beginning. Not only believers but also scientists agreed that: death does not terminate human existence entirely and in one way or another life or consciousciouness will continue. Four years ago today our beloved Gratien, ended his earthly pilgrimage after a period of great suffering that lasted for some time. Today, we are celebrating the Eucharist in suffrage for his soul, while we thank the Lord for having given him to us. He has lived an exemplary life and has inspired many of us. We are united this evening by his memory that lives on in our hearts. We may wonder where exactly is . now? Is there life beyond death? It is interesting that with all of our knowledge about everything, and our knowledge increasing every day, we still know very little about the next life Point 1 Paul in the Letter to the (1 Cor 13) reminds us that there are three things that last, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. So all the love that . showed us: family, relatives, colleagues, friends, students will last into eternity and is seen by God. Those who have had near death experiences tell us that they saw all their life flashing before them. So we can say that when God called .one could see all love flashing before him or her, all the love . gave to you ( family), every sacrifices made for them. Every prayer of . lasts into eternity. Therefore it is fitting to say that the best way to honour is to learn to live by lessons she taught us. Every time we pray, our prayers lasts into eternity particularly when we learn well the lessons of love (unselfish care gratuitous gift) and live by it. Point 2 In the Gospel, Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, while waiting for Jesus to come from Perea, the country beyond the Jordan, experienced four days of sadness and grief. When

Jesus finally arrived, Martha showed her distress in a mild rebuke to Christ, If you had been here, my brother would not have died. She was not embarrassed to show her disappointment. She was miffed. Grief claimed her. At the cemetery, tears were shed. Blame was placed on Christ for not responding immediately: Why this delay? I believed you could cure my brother. Usually no matter what anyone did (or did not do), death would still take place. Christ had a higher purpose, unknown to Martha, Mary, and his followers. He wanted them to have unshakable proof of his power over death. He declared, I am the Resurrection and the life. Christ was saying it is okay to die. By death one gains your heavenly Father and an everlasting home. Lazarus was one human who died and came back from the grave. But he died again! Christ is the resurrection and the life! Jesus gave us the assurance that no life is wasted here on earth, for he who created us out of his undying love will also sustain it in all its beauty through the resurrection. Reason why as we remember our beloved today, let it not only be formulations of pious and devoted prayers but an opportunity to realize that once we strive to use our lifetime here to become, with all our own will, with our minds and hearts what we called to be: Free and Redeemed- Blessed are they, who have died before they die! Every one of us here present, who desires to manifest again and more his love for our beloved departed and maybe give .. Real help can do this best of all through prayer for.. We can do nothing better or greater for the dead than to pray for them, offering commemoration for them at the Liturgy incarnate in our life. As we are remembering today in this solemn gathering, what if we take the opportunity to reconsider our daily style of life: strive not to be defeated by evil in the world; keep our relationship alive through forgiveness, understanding and patience, keep believing in moment of frustration and darkness; remain convinced that love is a greater power than greed and pride; accept the pain of misunderstanding and powerlessness and go on in faithfulness. Many of us cannot easily forgive the failings of our fellows. Yet, those who are ready to forgive and do forgive, realize in their lives death before they die. Besides all, I believe that if we look upon death with the eyes of faith, we can surrender to the thought that love is life, and death is now but the gate to a new kind life which begins in the here and now where we are called to hold each other1.

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