# A wake up call from God
*2016-09-25*

> Following the tragic passing of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, Bill Young reflects on the unpredictability of life, the importance of charity, and the need for spiritual vigilance.

## A Tragic Loss and a Wake-Up Call

We are broadcasting from South Florida, where we are mourning the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. At only 24 years old, this All-Star pitcher and great humanitarian died in a boating accident early Sunday morning. Jose was loved by his family, his teammates, and his manager. He was a wonderful person who used his success to help others, including donating his Rookie of the Year bonus to children with cancer.

While we pray for Jose and his loved ones, his passing serves as a wake-up call for all of us. We never know the day or hour when our time will come, and because of that, we must remain alert. Some may ask why God would allow such a young man with his whole life ahead of him to die. It is important to understand that God is not the cause of death; rather, we deal with the influence of Satan and the reality of our own free will. We are often tempted by bad ideas—to drink too much or drive too fast—and we must strive for the opposite virtues: humility over pride, chastity over lust, meekness over anger, and temperance over gluttony.

## The Lesson of the Rich Man and Lazarus

In the Gospel reading this past Sunday, we heard the story of the rich man in the purple cloak and Lazarus. The rich man walked past Lazarus every day, ignoring his suffering. After death, their positions were reversed: Lazarus was in heaven, and the rich man was in a place of torment. The rich man begged for a drop of water for his thirst, but a great chasm separated them. He then begged for someone to warn his family so they would not end up where he was, but he was told they already had the word of the prophets and had not listened.

Many of us hear the Word of God, but we do not take it seriously enough in our daily lifestyles. I experienced this recently while picking up food. I saw a man begging with a sign that said "hungry." I gave him a dollar, but then I realized he couldn't eat money. I gave him some fried yucca I had in my bag, and he ate it all at once because he was truly starving. It reminded me that we should be more aware of our surroundings. Whether it is food in our car or a few dollars set aside, we should help the homeless without judging whether they "deserve" it. That judgment belongs to God alone.

## Following the Example of the Saints

Pope Francis has shown us the way in his care for the poor. During the canonization Mass for Saint Teresa of Calcutta, the Pope invited 1,500 homeless people to attend, providing them with seats and food. Mother Teresa's life was defined by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, and that is what makes the difference in our journey toward heaven. We do not want to be like the man in the purple cloak; we want to be mindful of those in need every single day.

## Prayers for the Departed

We offer our prayers for Jose Fernandez and the friends who died with him. Regardless of their specific faith, we pray in the hope that they are lovers of Christ. We ask that the angels lead them to Abraham's side and that they find eternal rest. We also pray for Jose's family, his girlfriend, and his unborn child, asking that the child be born healthy and have a prosperous life.

I think of my own nephew, Gio, who lost his father as a baby. Though it was a devastating loss for the family, he grew up to be a happily married man and a father himself. There can be good that comes even from tragedy, and there is solace in knowing that Jose felt his last game pitched was the best of his career.

## Returning to God

Let us use this moment to get closer to Christ. Our priorities on earth should not be about what we attain, but about our relationship with God. I encourage everyone to go to church regularly and go to confession. This is the Year of Mercy, and no matter what we have done in our lives, God is waiting to welcome us back with open arms, like the prodigal son. When someone decides they want to be a saint, all of heaven cheers—much like a crowd at a baseball game when someone hits a grand slam.

*We must put our priorities straight and remain spiritually alert, knowing that our eternal destiny depends on our love for God and our mercy toward the poor.*