Memento Mori

https://odb.org/MY/2022/02/09/mortality-and-humility

Recently I watched a clip of the TV series Grey’s Anatomy on Facebook. It was about this busy guy who had bought tickets to watch a live baseball game with his son; something they had both been looking forward to as he led a busy life. He was in the hospital with some chest pain, nothing serious but he felt that he should have himself checked. It should be quick. He wanted them to hurry up the tests so he could make the game with his son. He called the son and told him that it will be done in an hour or so and he will be home soon to pick him up for the game.

But the results were not so good and he had to go for a CT scan and further tests and thus had to call to tell his son that they would be a bit late or maybe even need to take a rain check. Unfortunately, quite soon after the scan, his aorta ruptured and the doctors tried but could not save him. The attending doctor now has to call his son to tell him that his dad is not coming home at all. The show ended by saying that in just a matter of a few hours, life changed dramatically and drastically. One moment you are there talking, making plans, looking forward to things – next moment, you are gone, no more breadth, your soul has left your body, you are no longer among the living.

This could happen to any one of us at any moment. During the early days of Covid, we saw how seemingly healthy people got admitted and came out straight to the cemetery or crematorium under strict protocols. Families weren’t given the chance to see them face to face to say their final goodbyes, to hold or touch them. At most the nurses would arrange a video call before they were put in an induced coma for intubation. Many did not make it past that.

It is good that the situation has improved tremendously now with vaccination and boosters and with more practicing face masking and social distancing. But it remains that life is fleeting and frail. We are indeed like mist – here one moment, gone the next.

We don’t determine when we die; it could be the next moment or we could live for many more years to come. Thus it is good to be reminded of our mortality. We are no Highlander immortal. We have a life span and that is in the hands of God, our creator but who is also our Lord and Father in heaven. It is thus good I feel to whisper to ourselves ‘memento mori’ – ‘remember that you will die’, like the servant did to the victorious Roman general basking in the adulation of the public. Always remain grounded even if we are doing well. Always be humble before God and man! Remember God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble! Always remember our days are numbered, so always keep our pride in check. Fulfil God’s plans and purposes for us while we still have breadth. Do the things God wants us to do now, rather than later as tomorrow may never come. As Paul said before – to die is gain but to live is Christ. Live for Jesus and we will not regret our days!