November 16, 2006
November. We begin this month with All Saints and All Souls Day, and toward the end of the month, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Church year draws to a close even as the glorious days of fall begin to fade. The brilliant leaves have settled into a rust-colored carpet, leaving bare branches. Flocks of geese noisily make their way to warmer climates, and squirrels busily pile away winter stores. While creation points toward the “death” of winter, and the Church prays for the Holy Souls looking toward the coming of Christ Our King, it is a fitting time for each of us to consider our own end.
This consideration, though perhaps unpopular to our world today, is yet a very important one. For how can one be prepared for death if he never thinks about where his life is going? A squirrel that did not stow away food before the snow came, or a goose that preferred to stay in its summer home, would be caught unprepared by the winter. So were the foolish virgins unready when the bridegroom came, in the Gospel parable.
“Stay awake,” our Lord says, in another passage from the Gospel! “For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. . . So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man will come.” (Mt. 24:42)
Let us, therefore, take time, especially during this month of November, to pray for the Holy Souls and to reflect upon the last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Thus may we see what is important and direct our lives according to the ways of the Lord, ever striving to follow His commandments, ever striving to love Him and our neighbor with greater love. There are numerous passages in the Scriptures that speak of the last things, as well as writings by the Saints and other good Catholic authors that can aid us in our reflection. May I suggest starting with Chapters 24 and 25 from the Gospel of Matthew and paragraphs 1020-1050 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. May we be like the wise virgins, prepared to meet Our Bridegroom and King when He comes.
Sr. Cecilia Jesse, CFR
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