Richard Ho Lung

In attending the funeral and burial for Brian Ho Sang, 24, the questions stirred in my mind again - questions that stir in the hearts and minds of everyone, no matter how great or how small. What is the purpose of life? Who am I, and why was I placed on the face of the Earth? What am I meant to accomplish while I live? What have I accomplished so far?

Our time on Earth is short. We are here today, tomorrow we are gone. Death is a common end that awaits us all and everlasting life or hell. Life passes suddenly like a shadow whenever the sun goes down.

I attended the funeral because of Vincent Ho Sang and Sabrina, whom I know very well. I did not know the rest of the family. It was just the Saturday before (May 10, around 6 p.m. at Coconut Grove, Miami) Missionaries of the Poor received the award from The American Friends of Jamaica. To my surprise, Vincent and his oldest son Damien were at the celebration. "I come. I am not properly dressed, I come because you are my good friend."

I was moved. Vincent is a small man, maybe 55 years. He is the embodiment of energy, natural intelligence, courage, simplicity, depth and great charm. But now his son had died in a fatal motorcycle crash. He was out riding with his friends when his motorcycle got out of control.

Cut down at 24 years in the prime of his youth, he was an extrovert with unending warmth and a permanent smile. He celebrated life - with little sense that it would end so fatally, so suddenly. He was bursting with life - and seemed that he might follow in the footsteps of kindness like his father.

God was ready for Brian

Vincent Ho Sang, in his grief, showed no self-pity. His wife and four children spent the entire weekend serving others. Vincent kept repeating, "God has His reason. God was ready for Brian." Thousands of Jamaicans showed up for the funeral.

There was joy intermingled with sadness. I believe that all turned up for Brian as well as his family. The positiveness of Vincent was the spirit that united all at the service. Now and then there were tears, but finally the incantation prevailed from Vincent, "God has a better purpose for Brian".

Vincent's father had given away his entire store to others poorer than himself in Jamaica. Vincent has given Missionaries of the Poor funds to help build our retreat house in the mountains, and our new home for destitute and orphaned little kids. "I'm going to help you. I'm not going to stop. I, too, was poor. I will not forget the kindness of God to me."

Struggled all his life

Vincent never forgot his island and never forgot his God. He understands the reality of life. He had to struggle all his life. "Every disappointment in my life was a clear direction from God that He had other plans, and it always turned out for the best. I cannot help but give thanks."

Vincent has not lost his rootedness, despite his great prominence as a successful businessman and citizen of urbanised New York. God has been good to him and he wants to spread God's goodness to others. He speaks without a trace of an American accent. He is a spontaneous, generous and big-hearted Jamaican, embracing everyone at the funeral and the burial - both the simple and the powerful.

While attending the various functions, I could not help but think of the depth of wisdom in our forefathers, so deeply rooted in Jamaica. We know that one day we will stand before the Judge. Then the probing question will be asked, "Did we live to please man rather than God?" "Did we live to serve self rather than God?"

Now is the time for us to work; now is the time to build God's Kingdom here on Earth. What is the use of having great treasures here on Earth - treasures that the moths and worms will devour? We must give our lives over to others and build a world of kindness and goodness - and amazingly, here comes the King to greet you!