Late last year, a young man I’ve never met and of whom I know nothing about died in a car accident. The reason I’m even writing about it; the reason for bringing it up at all is that it happened yards from where I live.
From my vantage point, I knew that it was not a good situation. As the reports finally hit the news wire, it became clear that another life had ended far too soon. Sooner than he and his family and friends expected.
There were so many thoughts and emotions I had that night and even today as I write about it. Many of which you can imagine. But the one that lingers and hovers over them all is this: was he ready?
Not in the sense that he could have anticipated that that day would be his last day on earth. But more in the sense of what was his spiritual life like? Did he have someone who had shared the truth of the Gospel of life with him? The beautiful news that assures us that regardless of the seeming randomness of life, we can live in and with hope.
Was he ready? I don’t know. And in some ways, I am afraid to know. His death saddened me then and it saddens me now. But, it challenges me to do more to speak with those I encounter in my daily journey to consider Jesus and to trust in him.
I guess wondering if he was ready, really makes me wonder if I am ready. Ready to say and do what the Gospel demands and requires of me.
Reflection Prayer:
Almighty God, conform my heart and mind to your will, to be sensitive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit, that I may have eyes to see and ears to hear when you may need me to speak to a wandering soul the Gospel of salvation, in the name of your son Jesus Christ, Amen.
