Story of the Four Wives

Overview

A reflection given by Father Jerry Orboso, SVD uses the biblical-style story of “the four wives” to teach spiritual priorities near death and in everyday life.

Opening Call to Reflection

The video begins with a call for “a moment of reflection,” asking whether anyone could commit to die with you.

The Story of “The Four Wives”

A king on his deathbed asks his wives in turn to stay with him:

• Youngest / 4th wife: says she loves him, but will not die with him.
• 3rd wife: responds that she will prepare the funeral and be present, but won’t die with him.
• 1st / original wife: the one he had taken for granted answers yes—she will die with him, even if he forgot her, “from death and beyond.”

Interpretation: Four “Loves” (Attachments)

The presenter interprets the allegory as four kinds of love or attachment each person has:

1. 4th love = the body People spend much time and money on appearance and health, but the body will die and doesn’t accompany us beyond death.

2. 3rd love = possessions / achievements Money, fame, and work do not follow you in death; they get transferred.

3. 2nd love = family and friends They may support you in life and at the funeral, but they cannot die with you or go beyond death with you.

4. 1st love = the soul (often neglected) It is the only attachment that truly goes with you beyond death.

Key Message

The reflection urges viewers to:

• Stay humble before God
• Remain grateful
• Not be disturbed

It emphasizes that losing one’s soul is worse than gaining the world, echoing the sentiment of:

“What does it profit… to gain the whole world and lose your soul?”

Presenter / Contributor

• Father Jerry Orboso, SVD