Reflecting On Our Own Death
ONE
The great spiritual masters remind us that from time to time it is very beneficial to think about what we call the Last Things: death, our particular judgment, hell, purgatory, heaven, the end of the world, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in power and glory, the New Heavens and the New Earth and life everlasting. We will take them one by one throughout this next week.
We begin by meditating on the fact of our own death. Death is not a bad thing. In fact, because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning. As St Paul said: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” And Teresa of Avila wrote, “I want to see God and, in order to see him, I must die.” Finally, Therese the Little flower stated “I am not dying, I am entering life.”
In spiritual classic The Imitation of Christ we read: Every action of yours, every thought, should be those of one who expects to die before the day is out. Death would have no great terrors for you if you had a quiet conscience .... Then why not keep clear of sin instead of running away from death? If you aren't fit to face death today, it's very unlikely you will be tomorrow.
How ready are you to face your death?
TWO
In Introduction to the Devout Life St Francis De Sales writes:
Consider the uncertainty of the day of your death. O my soul you will one day depart out of this body! But when will the time be? Will it be in winter or summer? In the city or country? By day or by night? Will it be suddenly, or after due preparation? By sickness or by accident? Will you have time to make your confession? Will you be assisted by a priest? Alas, of all this we know nothing. But one thing is certain: we shall die, and sooner than we think.
How ready are you to face your death?
THREE
Consider that the world will end for you. it will last no longer to you. All that you thought important will fade to nothing, and what you thought of little worth will become everything. The pleasures, the vanities, the worldly joys, and vain affections of your life will seem like empty shadows and misty clouds. Ah, wretch! For what toys and deceitful vanities have I offended my God? You will then see that, for a mere nothing, you have forsaken him. On the other hand, love and good works will then seem to you to be delightful. Oh, why did I not follow this happy and pleasant path of love and virtue? Then the sins which before seemed small will appear as large as mountains, and my love very small.
How ready are you to face your death?
FOUR
Consider with what haste they will carry off this body to bury it under the earth, after which the world will think no more of you than you have thought of others. They will say “The peace of God be with him,” and that is all. O death, how devoid you are of regard or pity. Consider how the soul, being departed from the body, takes flight to the right hand or to the left. Alas, where shall yours go? Which way will it take? None other than that which it began here in this world.
How ready are you to face your death?
FIVE
At the moment of death, what will matter: Did I love and do the will of God? Did I love God, myself and my neighbor and my enemy? Did I have a deep friendship with God in prayer? Was I a man of virtue? Did I lead others to God through friendship? What else matters?
Death puts everything in perspective.
What specifically, practically and concretely is God asking you to do today to prepare for your death?