Last Thursday, November 21, 2024, Yohannes Don Bosco Buko, Missionary Of the Poor, died. We received the call at 3:00 am. While asleep, he had a severe headache and his neck stiffened. The main blood vessels in the brain along the base of his neck ruptured; this led to sudden vomiting. Later he heard a thunderclap in his ears and his neck stiffened. The headache increased and he vomited. The brothers rushed him to hospital. Was it aneurysm? Quite likely, the autopsy will tell. This reminds us of, “When the day of the Lord will come like a thief and the heaven will pass away like a roar and the heavenly bodies will be buried and dissolved.”

When the work on this Earth is done all will be exposed. Yohannes Don Bosco will see all his deeds. He was a young missionary in Jamaica. Gentle, sweet, non-aggressive and accepting any challenge given to him. He worked at Lord’s Place in the HIV section. His favourite patient and friend at the apostolate was Desmond, who is about 70 years old. They both died about the same time, though vastly different in age and nationality.

Yohannes was a quiet, talented brother. He loved music, the arts, drawing, and the scriptures. He was most approachable, quite a friendly young man. The children loved him and loved his story telling. Br Yohannes Don Bosco was close to the poorest. Just before he died he sat on his bed looking up at the ceiling. He strummed a make belief guitar and mouthed words as he was singing to everyone. Then he lay in bed, pulled the bed sheet up to his neck and then passed out like a child in the arms of his father.

As Thessalonians tells us, “You know yourselves full well that the day of the Lord will come any time, any day when we do not expect, like a thief at night.”

This is the time of Advent, we must prepare for the coming of the Lord. The Lord asked you:

What did you do with your life?

What did you want in life?

How did you live your life?

Were you prepared for the coming of the Lord?

My brothers and sisters, as the year closes we must remember that anytime, any moment, any day, the Lord will come for each one of us. Be prepared with the good deeds of the Lord. Make amends with those who are your enemies, give to the poor and forgotten ones, visit the prisoners.

Three of my close friends in the United States died this past week. They asked Missionaries Of the Poor for our prayers. We offer the sacrifice of the Mass for them and hold their names up to the heavens. Death really defines the period of our life we live here on Earth. And all is written in the book of life. What did you believe in and what did you do?

What joy and happiness that you brought to people?

Where are you going in the future world — hell or heaven?

What do people think of you? Are you kind or selfish?

What is your relationship with God?

Do you love the companionship of the poor and sinners?

We all stand before the Lord and seek His mercy. As Mark 13:33 says, “Be on guard, keep awake for you do not know when the time and the hour the Lord will come.” Be prepared for the coming of the lord. Do not be like the merry maidens who laugh and play, eat and drink, and are self-serving. Instead, seek to be sober, vigilant, kind and generous in this time. You must be counted as one who serves others and sacrifice your lives. John 12:24 tells us, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the Earth and dies it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”