By Reverend Father Vincent Kuagbogho, a Catholic Priest of Warri Diocese
Whatever you have to tell me, say it now because the grave has it not- Very Reverend Father JohnMark Ikpiki, of Blessed Memory.
I remembered those words when i saw this post of a Catholic Priest in Facebook.
I remembered those words when i saw this post of a Catholic Priest in Facebook.
Listen to him; “During Mass, as I incensed the closed casket, a thought pierced me: he will never speak again. Seventy-five years lived, and now forever silent.
No apologies, no laughter, no whispered “I love you.” 
It does mean that after our death, we are, but just nothing but dust. Even our remains, we have no say over it whether it is buried or left to rotten for vultures to feed on.
The priest went further to reflect: “Yet so many of the living still refuse to speak what matters most.”
How many are waiting for your calls just to make them smile? Oh! I am now a lawmaker, I am now a priest, I am now a lawyer, I am now a journalist, I am now a millionaire and so on. Do you know that it is just by God grace you are where you are? Not by your wish, might or hard work but grace. Sometimes our ego, pride deceived us that we have made it, and so, instead of you sowing joy you sow sorrow, pains and regret. Do you there are people whom your words of comfort can heal? They want to hear a word of encouragement from you. But you but you remain silent. You distanced yourself from them. You kept them a far because all you feel is, they don’t worry it, they will request for money from me, or I had issues with their father or mother and so, I won’t speaks. You have to speak now according to the revered Catholic priest.
Continuing the priest reflected: “The coffin became a pulpit and I add, it has become a pulpit to those who cares. Its sermon was unspoken but thunderous:
“The words you withhold today… one day, they will be gone forever.”
Can you imagine? Those words that you needed to speak to change lives, situations, concepts and mindsets, you kept them to yourself because you feel you have arrived or, maybe out of wicked heart.
The priest said; “I thought of friends who will not speak, siblings who will not forgive, spouses who let pride outweigh love, parishioners who share the same altar but cannot reconcile.”
He asked a question that is rhetorical saying;
“How many of us walk among the living, rehearsing the stillness of the grave while our hearts still beat?, he questioned.
“Tears ran down my cheeks; not for the dead, but for the living. Life is fragile. Time is fleeting. Speak while you can. Forgive while you can. Reconcile while you can. Love while you can.”
He concluded by saying; “The coffin waits for everyone.”
Have you ever imagined that a day is coming that you could no longer speak, walk, party, give orders, proud or even quarrel? Yes, that is when you will be in the grave or coffin.
That reminds me of what a priest once said; “I so much cherished my car that I do not allow anyone to drive in it, but the day I collapsed in church during Mass, it was my car they use in taking me to the hospital, and when I regain consciousness, I asked where is my car, and I was told it is at the priest rectory. I asked again, who drove it? And I was told that one of the parishioners.”
He said since then, he realized tha
t nothing is worth cherishing than God.
What do you cherished most? Some said they cherished their profession so much that they cannot relate with people after their arrival in quote. Even priests, lawyers, politicians, bankers or generally those who have arrived does that.
What do you cherished most? Some said they cherished their profession so much that they cannot relate with people after their arrival in quote. Even priests, lawyers, politicians, bankers or generally those who have arrived does that.
“I have nothing to gain, benefit from him or her or I want to be alone. You may have new friends, family but do not forget that you are human.
I must say a thank you to the Catholic priest for opening our eyes and reminding us that we are noting but dust, if we fail to know and share the love of God.