Memento mori
Remember That You Are Human!
Sometimes you just stop and think about how fragile life really is. Do you know that old Roman saying, “memento mori“? It means something like, “remember that you are mortal.” Back in the day, when a Roman general rode through the city in his chariot after a victory, there was a slave behind him who would whisper in his ear: “Hominem te memento!” That means: “Remember that you are human!” This was to warn him not to get too arrogant and to remind him of his own mortality, even at the height of his success.
In our busy lives, we don’t often think about this. And we don’t necessarily have to, because then you’d be constantly thinking about your own end. Still, it is important to be aware of how vulnerable we are. Giving a kiss before you leave or go to sleep, for example, is so important. You never know what might happen that night or during that trip. It’s more than just a habit; it’s a moment of connection, a confirmation of your relationship, before you’re temporarily separated. No one knows what the day or night will bring.
While it might sound a bit gloomy, it reminds us of the saying “memento mori”—the awareness of our mortality. By always saying goodbye with a loving gesture, you know that, should something unexpected happen, the last contact was one of love and affection.
Last Friday
This thought came to me this morning because I read a message online about a couple with their three children who left India by plane last Friday but sadly never reached their destination. The story went like this:
Dr. Pratik Joshi had been living in London for six years. He had long dreamed of building a better future abroad for his wife and their three young children, who remained in India. After years of planning, paperwork, and patience, that dream finally came true. Just two days ago, his wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, also a medical professional, resigned from her job in India. The bags were packed, goodbyes were said, the future awaited.
This morning, all five of them, full of hope, excitement, and plans, boarded Air India Flight 171 to London. They took this selfie and sent it to family members. A one-way trip to start a new life.
But they never made it. The plane crashed. None of them survived.
In the blink of an eye, a life full of dreams turned to ashes. A cruel reminder: life is terrifyingly fragile. Everything you build, everything you hope for, everything you love, it all hangs by a thread. So as long as you can: live, love, and don’t wait for happiness to begin tomorrow.
The Comfort of a Child of God
What an incredibly sad story, but there are so many like it. Many people die daily; some are young, others reach an older age. Life is fragile and it makes us aware that we are temporary. Not only is there an earthly life, but there is also an eternity after. The comfort for a child of God is that they will meet their loved ones again. In whatever form and state that may be. The Bible speaks of a resurrection body.
It is a “spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44-46): this doesn’t mean it’s immaterial, but rather that it’s controlled by the Spirit and no longer by our earthly, perishable nature. It’s not subject to the weaknesses and limitations of our current body. It’s a “new body” that fits the new creation, as Paul explains using the example of a seed that dies and produces a completely different plant. The seed is the natural body, the plant is the spiritual body. It will shine, have splendor and glory, just as Daniel speaks of the magnificence of the resurrection body being compared to the light of the stars. It reflects the beauty of eternal life.
“The wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3 ESV)
Memento Mori, remember that in Christ you can expect a wonderful time. Now, live, and love. But also in the future.
@wimvanputten