November 17, 2006
Since November is the month when the Church remembers the faithful departed, it may be appropriate to take some time to consider our own demise. Now, before you groan and grimace over such a morbid meditation, it would be good to recall the fact that every time you pray a simple “Hail Mary” you are supposed to think about your death—“pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Those who recite the rosary at breakneck speed like an auctioneer or racecar announcer rarely receive any spiritual insight about this all-important event.
If you are older, you know that Saint Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death. While the Gospels are silent about his own death, we can assume Joseph died before Jesus, since none of the Gospels mentioned him being present at Calvary. Also, from the cross Our Savior entrusted Mary to young John the Beloved—a fact which clearly indicates that he must have already died.
Both saints and spiritual writers over the centuries are in agreement—meditating on one’s death is far from unhealthy or depressing, rather it enables the Christian to live with a greater verve and vitality. Preparing for death is therefore good for us as it helps us both appreciate life and understand how to best use this precious gift for God’s glory and the good of others.
This is very true. Imagine if we spent some quiet time each day thinking that this Christmas could be our very last. How special this holy feast would be! We would be well-prepared thanks to our frequent and fervent confessions and our daily communions. We would have made amends with our enemies and would have offered apologies to our annoying and obnoxious in-laws. Also, we would have re-evaluated all those things we thought were so important and generously disposed all of our earthly goods to the needy.
Well, if you still think this whole topic is depressing, may I suggest you find some time alone and in silence. Pick up your rosary and begin to recite it—slowly, very slowly.
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
(note: reprinted from archives)
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