A Happy Death? Is This An Oxymoron?



St. Joseph - Patron Saint of
a Happy Death

 Thomas a'Kempis taught that you can have a happy death.  This is not an oxymoron.  It's a practiced discipline.  Thomas lists how this is possible by putting aside the lures of our current culture, practising the virtues and walking solidly in the faith through reception of the Sacraments. 

He then mentions how we need to be ready (as discussed last time) as more often than not, people who get sick seldom improve their spiritual disciplines.  The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago!

Book 1, Chapter 23, paragraph 4.

4. Happy and wise are you when you strive to be prepared in this life as he desires to be found in death!

 For  it will give you great confidence of experiencing a happy death and a perfect rejection of the world, a fervent desire to advance in virtue, the love of discipline, a spirit of repentance,and a readiness to obey as we deny our self and submit to adversity for the love of Christ.

You may very well do good works while you are in good health, but when you are sick I do not know what good you will be able to do.

Few are improved by sickness: similarly, few who travel abroad seldom become holy.

When we imitate Christ, we will do these things automatically.

'Til next time, keep praying, and be Imitators of Christ!
tim

So from here, stay on the path, be prepared and practice the spiritual disciplines. 

On Being Prepared for the Inevitable

Why on earth must we prepare for death?  

Scouts & Washington
 by Norman Rockwell

Why will it matter?

It matters because we do not know our fate, and so we must rely on the current moment to repent and offer ourselves to God.

And so, like a good Scout, we should be prepared.  And in this extended meditation on death, Good Thomas gently warns us to take steps toward our salvation now, so that we do not "mourn bitterly".

"3. When it is morning reflect that it may be you shall not see the evening, and as the evening comes, do not dare to boast about tomorrow. Always be prepared, and live such that death may never find you unprepared.

Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. "For at such an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come (Matt 24:44)."

When your last hour comes, you will begin to think very differently of your whole life past, and will mourn bitterly that you have been so negligent and and remiss with your preparation (Wis 5).

Because our time here is uncertain and we should be ready to go without regrets, "into the West" (click here to listen) upon our journey's end.

Until next time, keep praying...keep preparing, and be Imitators of Christ!
tim

What's the Point of Living So Long, Sherlock?

CHAPTER XXIII; Of Meditation Upon Death (continued).



Sherlock Holmes
Examines the Evidence



What is the point of living a long life if you can't show some fruit from being given that time?  Good Thomas asks us point blank...."What are you doing with the 'dash' between the day you were born and the day of your death?.

For the faithful, it is not enough for us to shout "Lord, Lord" to enter the kingdom of heaven.  We must have some evidence of our conversion (see Lk 6:43-49).

The old question of "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be any evidence to convict you?" comes to mind. So, ponder this Sherlock:

2. What benefit is it for you to live long, when you advance so little?


Ah! long life does not always make us better, but often adds to our guilt.

Would to God that we had spent a single day in this world as it ought to be spent!

Many count the years since their conversion, and yet oftentimes there is little the fruitful evidence of conversion.

If it is a fearful thing to die, it may even be yet more dangerous to live long.

Blessed is the one who has the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepares for death (Sir. 7:36).

If thou have ever seen anyone die, consider that you shall also pass away by the same road some day.

So again, I ask, "What will you do with your "DASH"?  Here's someone I knew who's "DASH" was full of the fruits of her faith.  Sr. Gloria, pray for us!

Until next time, thanks for praying along with me.

Be imitators of Christ.
tim