This morning I attended the funeral mass of J, someone I knew from Saint Teresa’s when I was active in the parish there. While I didn’t know J very well, what I knew of her was confirmed by the celebrant as well as the eulogy by her son. When Father Paul Goh had a stroke some 20 years ago, J ensured that his meals were looked after as he convalesced. J was clearly loved by family and friends. By all accounts she lived a full and meaningful life, putting the needs of others before hers, loving and serving to the end.
What came to me during mass was this: make every day count. If I were to make a New Year resolution, this would be the one. Immediately, I thought of my cousin E, how when she battled cancer, even in her diminished physical state, she still managed to reach out to fellow cancer patients and pray with them, and for them. She made a difference in the lives of many. She made her days count.
The only way I can do the same is if I let the sun rise and set on one continuous, singular act of gratitude which is, as P likes to remind me of his very apt school motto, ora et labora, pray and labour.
My first act upon waking is to pray. Consequently as I go about my day, I continue to orientate myself to the Lord, offering up all my actions for His glory, even those I am not proud of (these I ask Him to help mediate and remedy). Finally before I sleep, I take time to reflect on my day: where I went wrong, what I could have done better, what I did okay, and to thank Jesus for all the times I saw how He brought me through the day safely.
Today, Father P also said something that resonated with me. In a nutshell: Those who acted for the good of others will be happy in life. Whereas, those who only thought of their own good were guaranteed to be unhappy. Happiness is a by-product of being that good and faithful servant Jesus talks about; the beloved disciple who seeks to love others as the Master loves them.
His point was proven when my grandson popped into my room this afternoon and demanded that I serve him. The joy and pleasure I derived from looking after J and playing with him, and, hopefully, influencing him to become a virtuous man someday is inestimable. Of course, not everything I do in life, all those worthwhile, virtuous endeavours, will make me happy. Some are difficult, and may even be downright unpleasant. But if I truly want to make my days count, then it is simple enough. I simply have to make Jesus happy. How? Love as He does. Be one with the Father. Be salt and light. Be grateful. Be good. Be someone who knows she has already won the prize of eternal life, and who will do everything in her power to keep it.
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