Sudden death

We always hear news of people being suddenly and unexpectedly killed.

Today, news outlets around the world are talking about a man in Florida who was sleeping in his bed when suddenly the ground opened up and swallowed him.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comments on tragic deaths people were talking about in His day:

“Do you think that
because these Galileans
suffered in this way
they were greater sinners
than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you,
if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people
who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them
— do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you,
if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”

We do not know the hour of our deaths.

We should live and pray accordingly.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.