Once we were asked by our professor to write our own Eulogy. Initially, it brought laughter to the students. It was an uneasy laughter. Eventually, it died down, for when we started working on the details it became a moment of deep reflection – “Who do I say that I am when I pass away from this life?”

In the Gospel, Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was? Jesus had a mission here on earth. Was he faithful to that mission? Were people getting his message right? 

With the theme, “Overcoming obstacles towards excellence” The readings are often helpful for us to obtain excellence. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything: there will be good times, there will be bad times; there will be times of plenty, there will be times of scarcity; there will be pleasant surprises, there will be difficult surprises; there will be times of joy and there will be times of pain. In other words for us to reach excellence whether in our personal life, professional life, or corporate life, expect the unexpected. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and chances of hitting rock bottom.

The Gospel tells us to always give time to reflect. As Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Hence like the words of Christ, very important to ask ourselves, “Who do people say that I am?” This very important question can only be answered if we have the three Cs in life:

1. Competence. Success is only 5 percent luck and 95 percent hard work. May things in this life continue to awe you so there will be the thirst to learn more and do more.  Make every moment an opportunity to be a better person.
2. Character. Always do the right thing. The biggest crimes are done by the most competent people with the least character. Character is like a seed planted; it will surely bare fruit at the property time. 
3. Creed. In the decision we have to make, we do not only need facts, we too need wisdom. The Bible tells us, “The holy fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom.” A person of faith looks at life not only economically, not only politically, not only through medicine or science but in the eyes of Faith. The greatest source of wisdom is to remember we came into this world with nothing and we are leaving this world with nothing. 

In today’s Mass, 

1. We thank God for all the speakers, sharers, and people we learn from.
2. We always remember, that no two lives are the same. We are all blessed differently. Hence, it is not the output that always counts, it is what is in the heart: Competence, Character, and Creed.
3. We also remember that life is short and uncertain. Hence, live each day to the fullest, and live each day with excellence amidst an imperfect world.