THE Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku has listed three things Christians must do to make heaven.
According to him, Christians must know God, love Him and serve Him.
Delivering a homily during the celebration of Funeral Mass for Lady Susanna Onyekonwea Arafiena (KLSP) at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba, Delta State on Friday, the Bishop noted that what one does while on earth would determine if he or she will make heaven.
He noted that death is inevitable, and that Christians should be prepared at all times for it.
“Nobody who is alive will say exactly how many years he or she will live.
“The questions, which will determine our final resting place, are: Have we known God? have we loved Him? have we served Him?
“Our way of knowing God, our way of loving Him and our way of serving Him will determine where we will be on the last day.
“It is everyone’s work that will determine if he or she will have a seat in God’s kingdom.
“As humans, we can say that our mother, Susanna has done very well in her knowledge of God, her love for God and her service to God through serving humanity.
“The best good news anyone wants to hear is, ‘enter into the joy of your Master.’
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord for they will live forever since their good deeds go with them.”
The Bishop prayed for the family, stating, “it is possible to provide security against many other things, but as it concerns death, it will come when it will.”
He consoled the family and prayed for God to accept the soul of the deceased.
Lady Arafiena was the mother of the late Sports Editor of The Pointer Newspaper, Comrade Osita Arafiena.
By Fidelis Egugbo
