It is 24th September 2016. The readings are from Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1-8; and the Gospel from Luke 9:43-45. The first readings invites us to enjoy the prime time of our lives responsibly and to be reminded that God will demand the account of our living when we are at the evening of our lives. The most productive and blessed time of our living is to be a youth. Youthfulness is indeed a time full of friendship, relationship and searching for the best connections. “Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” (Ec.11:9). It is a time of search, insatiable thirst for pleasure, success, and time of longing for someone or something. Unless and until guided by the Spirit of God and good, inspiring and challenging role models of the society, the time of youth could turn into a bitter, painful, disappointed and revenging moments. Youthfulness becomes a beautiful garden only when goodness, kindness, holiness and charity is planted in the hearts of the young. The physical strength of the youth, the women, the streets, the uphill life style, glittering cords of life, the bright light of enjoyment all will come to stand still one day; One has to face oneself somehow all alone. Old age is the future of youth. It will be so painful to search and to connect with God when eyes are dimmed, steps are shaky, voices are feeble, and the lonely dark sick moments dashing the shores of our lives. So, it is good to connect with God right from the start. The responsorial Psalm prays, “O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.” (Ps.89:1). In the Gospel Jesus reminds the disciples about His inevitable end. Death is the mystery. We will not be informed about its arrival, yet we must be prepared at all times. Death is not the end of our journey; it is just the beginning for a long journey towards the Creator. Death is a teacher and final link to connect with God. May you have a good day. God bless you.