How many times has this happened to us – we get a call or we see on social media that a family, friend, office mate, or neighbor just passed away unexpectedly. Of course, at first, there is always denial, but eventually sadness and grief sink in. Also, two realities come in: First, we are reminded that life is short and swift. The bible tells us that it is like dew, present in the morning and gone by midday. Another reality is, we ask the question: “Am I prepared?”

This is a very important question because we are constantly reminded by the Gospel, “Always be prepared, God’s time is different from our time.” As Jesus said, “Stay awake, for you neither know that day nor the hour.”

Hence, in our daily life, three things we remember to always be prepared:

• First, how is my relationship with God? At the end, He will be the one judging us. Hence, am I really prepared? Have I been a blessing to my neighbor? Have I any unconfessed sins? The biggest consolation we can give our family and loved ones in our goodbye is that they know we are very much prepared.
• Second, do I have unfinished business? Is there something urgent I should do or I should say that I keep postponing? If today is the last day of your life and you will finally do these things or say these things, then by all means do it. Yes, today may be the last day of your life.
• Third, live life to the fullest by being faithful to the mission God has given us. We are all looking for happiness, and the best way is through the mission God has given us.

We should always remember the truth that life is short and swift, and that God’s time is different from ours. Hence, always be prepared. As St. Philip Neri once said, “The best way to prepare for death is to spend every day as though it were the last day.”