Book 01: Sect. 01: Ch. 23: Thoughts on Death

Scout · #1 Aug 23, '05, 2:42 pm

Chapter 23: Thoughts on Death
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.ONE.23.html

Scout

WanderAimlessly · #2 Aug 23, '05, 5:36 pm

Death had always been a struggling point for me. I try to avoid anything that involves death. Why, I do not know. Maybe it is because it brings my own mortality into the picture. Saying that, we must remember that today might be the last day of our life and we must live it as such. For if we are in Mortal Sin when our time comes, it will be too late to repent.

PF

**Katie1723** · #3 Aug 24, '05, 4:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

...................... Saying that, we must remember that today might be the last day of our life and we must live it as such. For if we are in Mortal Sin when our time comes, it will be too late to repent.

PF

Like Tim Mc Graw sings "Live like you were dying"
~ Kathy ~

Grace and Glory · #4 Aug 25, '05, 1:12 pm

This reminded me of our readings for today. Jesus said he would come like a thief, so we must always be watching. We must be the servants who are faithful, because he will come unexpectedly.

I've been fortunate to learn relatively early how quickly death can come. I have had few people I love die, but of the people and animals I've loved who have died, every single one died suddenly and entirely unexpectedly. For a while after each death, I would be suddenly afraid that other people I loved had died since I last saw them or talked to them. I eventually learned, however, to turn the fear over to God and to trust that he will give me strength to get through whatever happens. Now, I am learning to apply that to myself, and to realize that it's entirely possible that I will not be alive next year, or next month, or next week, or even tomorrow. This really helps me prioritize. Suddenly, things that seemed so worrying become unimportant, and God becomes more and more the center of my thoughts. Of course, I soon get caught up in my old worries again; I need to constantly remind myself of what really matters.

wisdom 3:5 · #5 Aug 30, '05, 11:42 am

When I hear that Tim McGraw song I tend to only think of earthly things to do, not spiritual. That's the focus of the song I suppose.

The present is very precious; these are the days of salvation; now is the acceptable time. How sad that you do not spend the time in which you might purchase everlasting life in a better way. The time will come when you will want just one day, just one hour in which to make amends, and do you know whether you will obtain it?

And if I even got that extra day how wisely would I spend it?

E.E.N.S. · #6 Aug 30, '05, 11:57 am

VERY soon your life here will end; consider, then, what may be in store for you elsewhere.

I like how it says, "Very soon..." regardless if we die today or if we live another 70 years, it is all "very soon" when we compare it to eternity.

Oh, the dullness and hardness of a heart which looks only to the present instead of preparing for that which is to come!

Therefore, in every deed and every thought, act as though you were to die this very day.

What would you do if you knew that today was your last? What preparations would you make?

If you had a good conscience you would not fear death very much. It is better to avoid sin than to fear death. If you are not prepared today, how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day; how do you know you will have a tomorrow?

Blessed is he who keeps the moment of death ever before his eyes and prepares for it every day.

I recommend reading Preparation for Death by St. Alophonsus Ligouri. (St. Louis de Montfort also has some excellent writtings on this in the collection of his writings called God Alone.)

Be always ready, therefore, and so live that death will never take you unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly, for in the unexpected hour the Son of God will come. When that last moment arrives you will begin to have a quite different opinion of the life that is now entirely past and you will regret very much that you were so careless and remiss.

Do not put your trust in friends and relatives...

This thought is shared by many of the saints.

How sad that you do not spend the time in which you might purchase everlasting life in a better way. The time will come when you will want just one day, just one hour in which to make amends...

Learn to die to the world now, that then you may begin to live with Christ.

Remind you of Jesus' words?

Chastise your body in penance now, that then you may have the confidence born of certainty.

Remind you of Paul's words?

Ah, foolish man, why do you plan to live long when you are not sure of living even a day?

Think of nothing but your salvation. Care only for the things of God.

How often do you think about your salvation? Your death? It's coming...prepare for it!