Dear Beloved of Trinity,
This week, I had the sacred honor of officiating the funeral of a dear friend’s father, who lived to the remarkable age of 102. In the United States, only about 0.03% of people reach the century mark. His life was a full and generous one—rich with love, family, a successful medical career, community service, and global travels.
In stark contrast, a colleague presided over the funeral of a 19-year-old young man who tragically fell asleep at the wheel while driving home. He was at the top of his class, a varsity athlete, beloved by his classmates—an exemplary young man with a bright future.
Both lives, though vastly different in length, speak to the fragile and mysterious nature of our existence. There is often no clear rhyme or reason to how or why things happen. We like to believe we have control—and perhaps in some ways we do—but ultimately, life unfolds on its own terms, shaped by countless unseen variables.
At the end of the day, every life is lived in the same way: one heartbeat, one breath at a time. Whether we are granted 19 years or 102, each of us moves through life moment by moment. A heartbeat is a heartbeat. A breath is a breath. These are the sacred rhythms that unite us all—regardless of status, age, or circumstance.
So I invite you: pause for a moment. Become aware of your own heartbeat. Feel the breath moving in and out of your lungs. And give thanks to God for the simple, extraordinary gift of being alive.
“With each beat of the heart, God whispers: You are still here. You are still loved. Make this moment count.” — Unknown
Peace and Blessings,
Paul+
