Different people have got different kinds of fear. Some fear the dark; some fear insects, spiders, lizards (especially those known as geckos or “cicak” in Malay, that reside in houses) or other creepy crawlies; some fear their husbands or wives due to one reason or another; some fear to lose, even in small or insignificant matters; and some fear heights. Among the many reasons people may be fearful of, I believe one which is quite common is the fear of death or dying. Many people do not like to talk about death or think about death. Perhaps, they think that if they do not talk about it or think about it, it would not happen. But the fact is, death will happen, and we cannot avoid death. It can come at any time and at any place.
Since we cannot avoid death, what do we do then? Do we try to run and hide somewhere, trembling and worrying ourselves silly? Of course not! We must, as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” We should not be caught off guard but always be prepared and be ready. Jesus also reassures us: “There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” We shouldn’t be afraid of death, since death reminds us that there is a beginning and end to our physical life; that we need to pay attention to our relationship with others, especially with our family members and friends, during our short time on earth; that power, riches and popularity are all temporary, and we should remain humble; that we are humans, we are weak and we ultimately need to rely on God for everything; and that we should look seriously into our spiritual life and keep our soul clean and ready to meet the Lord and be with Him.
Moreover, the second reading reminds us that “only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen.” Some of us fear death because we fear the unknown, and we do not know what is going to happen to us. But faith gives us the answer. Faith tells us that God will never abandon us and that God will make us a home for us with him in heaven.
Therefore, let us have faith and confidence that God will care for us. If we trust in Him and prepare ourselves consistently and faithfully with hope and humility, then we should not have any reason to fear death, since we are only strangers and nomads on earth in search of our real homeland, a better homeland, our heavenly homeland.