Deep within us lies an existential fear of death. We dread that final moment when we must release our grip on all we possess, bid farewell to those we cherish, and cross the threshold toward the unknown. This fear drives us to do everything in our power to avoid death, or at the very least, delay it.

Bishop Fulton Sheen said, “The reason we have this great fear of dying is that we are not practicing for it.” His words echo St. Paul’s profound teaching about dying daily (1 Cor 15:31). This “daily death” is not about morbid preoccupation with mortality, but rather about the liberating practice of self-offering.

When we learn to die daily to our selfish inclinations, our last farewell can be met not with paralyzing fear but with the quiet peace in hearts.

Gospel • John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”

So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet 50 years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.