As a Christian, precisely a catholic, I must confess that Islamic burial customs impress me -“Rev. Fr Innocent Oyibo

As a Christian, precisely a catholic, I must confess that Islamic burial customs impress me. I have a mental memory of how President Shehu Shagari was buried. The Graves of Muslim faithfuls are not usually plastered with the choicest of marble tiles, no golden caskets etc. as we Christians love to do. Islamic burial philosophy reminds us all that we are equal and empty.

But what lessons do the living learn? Apparently only momentarily. Then, the normal structures of our lives overtake us again.

Every single death has a precedent, so we all have had the opportunity to draw our lessons and reflect over our own lives and prepare for our death and what comes after.

Why all the bitter acrimonies, the injustice, the killings, the stealing of what belongs to others, the billions in the banks, the properties scattered beyond the shores of NIGERIA, the power to deny people the remuneration for their labor etc when we know from the the deaths before us that we can never take anything with us?

Where are all the gun wielding men in full gear? Where is all the power, the influence, the UNTOUCHABLENESS?

“When I was naked, you clothed me, when I was hungry you gave to eat.” (Mt. 25:36-40). This is perhaps the most profound of words that we shall hear when we encounter the DIVINE…. “But Lord when did we see you naked or hungry?”
Yes, I was that poor widow, that pensioner, that your housemaid, that laborer etc…

Every new grave teaches us lessons. May we open our hearts wide to these lessons and make restitutions NOW!

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May the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace…

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