Death has been described as the final expression of God’s love for human, irrespective of time, condition or age, which takes place the moment the place and room is ready, when Christ gloriously comes to take his people up to heaven. This was the position of Very Rev. Fr. Michael Akintolu, while delivering the homily during the Funeral Mass of Msgr. Peter Oke, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, Thursday, July 27, 2023. Stating that humans die because of God’s love for them, Fr. Akintolu said no matter the cause of death, be it ailment, accident or old age, death is always the language of love; the language of a loving God, calling his people home. According to him, “This fact should therefore put it into right perspective the statement in the biography of Msgr. Oke which said of him that he prayed thus, ‘Lord help me to be a good priest, and if for a second I should fail to be a good priest, take my life.’
Fr. Akintolu said Msgr. Oke was not only a good priest, but a loving person whose death did not occur because for a second he failed to be a good priest, as he added that the Monsignor was always a good and committed priest till death. Recounting their academic and priestly journey, as well as his personal connection with Msgr. Oke, which lasted for over 53 years, he said he remains sincerely grateful to the deceased priest. According to him, “Msgr. Peter Oke was so spiritual that right from Bodija, we referred to him as monk, which to a large extent he was through his prayer life, dedication to duty and unfortunately too, in his interactions with persons. He can decide to keep quiet for a long time and not communicate with anyone, even if you are staying together in the same house.
“He didn’t do this out of malice; he did this when at times he is into deep special prayers and meditation. Not only will he keep from active communication with persons, he will equally abstain from eating regularly.” He said the late Monsignor was a loving, jovial person, in addition to being a man of deep prayer and spiritual life, as he added that Msgr. Oke could be compared to Moses in the Bible, as he did so much to get the people very close to God. Speaking on the occasion, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos said it has been a difficult year for the Archdiocese, particularly with the death of four priests up to now. Archbishop Martins added that it has been a difficult time for the families of the deceased priests and the elderly priests who have seen younger ones going before them. Quoting the homilist that every death is an expression of the love of God, the Archbishop told the people not to mourn like those who do not have hope or faith in God. “
Even though a tear or two may drop, as they have dropped, and as they probably will still drop by the death of Msgr. Peter Oke, nevertheless, we mourn not like those who have no hope or no faith. Our faith has been expressed very eloquently by Fr. Michael Akintolu”, he said. He said the deceased priests have simply gone home, adding that the love of Jesus has taken them home to where they came from. Stating that the people are consoled by the words of scriptures and the homily, the Archbishop gave thanks for the life and death of those who have been called to God. The Prelate urged the people to be right with God, adding that they need to be at one with God in mind, in heart and in action, as he challenged them to pray that those who have gone before them will pray for them as they journey towards heaven. Archbishop Martins said there are many things Msgr. Oke has left for the people to use as model of living, as he condoled with the family and thanked them for all they did to support and take care of a man who loved to serve God and who served the Lord till the last moment of his life.
