Will you outlive your life?

Will you outlive your life?

We should start by defining life. In the philosophical sense life may mean the significance, purpose and value of human existence. In the theological sense, life may refer to a divine gift originating from God, encompassing both physical existence and spiritual communion. It moves beyond mere biological function to represent a relationship with the Creator, characterized by eternal salvation, grace, and purposeful existence on earth. From an intellectual context, life is centered around the active pursuit of knowledge, ideas, and self-understanding for their own sake. Life relies on curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, transforming ordinary learning into a framework for deeper engagement with the world.

When I was a child, mass on Sunday morning was a prerequisite. We dressed our best and acknowledged as many people as possible before and after the mass. The weather was never a factor. Meeting God on Sunday was the basis for family and life. Afterwards, it was very common for us to share lunch with an aunt, uncle or cousin, and if we did not, the evening guaranteed we would get together with someone from our extended family. Food was always at the centre of the table, and lots of it. Money never seemed to matter when it came to family and food, after all, we were celebrating life, and God.

Summer Sundays were always more involved, and exciting. Families would plan Sunday mass alongside the feast day of a saint or a picnic. Saints were part and parcel of life. Whether it was attending Mary Lake to celebrate the Feast Day of Mother Mary or a walk with St Anthony, everyone was eager to attend. Kids were more excited about the popcorn and candy apple vendor. As an immigrants' son, I witnessed the joy of togetherness amongst people who could hardly speak the English language, and worked three jobs to secure their future, yet never complained. They had the armour of God and wore it proudly. Every accomplishment was a gift from God, and they thanked God for everything they had. The old amongst still do, even if they are alone and sick. That's another story.

I never stopped attending church until i was in my late 50s. I witnessed the transition from the Latin Mass to the modern version, the vanquishing priesthood, dwindling attendance, especially amongst the youth, and a church that was bowing down to modernity, secularism, pluralism and moral decay. A Pope who defended Globalism and a Bible that was being subjected to criticism. As time passed, what was once a place of hope and light, became the home for the remnants of a dying civilization. I get my greatest joy by walking into an empty church, with the lights out, and just talking with God. I've learned He's got big ears.

Today, youth has virtually displaced God. While some are enchanted by Thelemic, Demonic or Occult ideologies, others have transitioned from one faith to another, just as they would transition from one fashion creed to another, or by adapting a different computer platform, while others have been completely estranged from their spiritual journey.  Families, namely mothers and fathers, appear to have no concern about the spiritual fate of their offspring. In the Christian tradition, the sacrements of baptism, communion and confirmation were a prerequisite for a young soul. The spiritual transformation was celebrated and was intended to elevate the young soul in the family of God. The sacraments are now a party and 7-course meal.

A broken spirit is not only seen amongst the young, it appears universally, except perhaps amongst the old. Life has brought them to the end of their biological journey, and they now prepare for the inevitable - Communion with God. Most people will remember God when the hands of time are about to stand still. Many, if not most, will question their life, if they did the right things, accomplished many of their dreams, if they brought success to their children, or were they just simply happy with the path they chose. Some obviously chose the path of evil - living the lie while professing the truth. Life is "most" lived in the last moments of life - love, regret, anguish, betrayal etc. all reek havoc on the heart.

So what is life, and what are we giving up in this brave new world. Namely, the loss is God. Everything else is a distraction, an interruption of life.

Thank you,

Joseph Pede