We need time to think about the condition of our soul and the reality of eternal life.Ash Wednesday is supposed to remind people of their mortality: “Remember man, that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The church in her infinite wisdom knows that we need a regular reminder of just how short life really is. The question today is … are you prepared to face your own death too? Do you have any unresolved issues, sins or regrets that need to be forgiven and healed? Or is your soul at peace, knowing that you have confessed your sins, loved the Lord with all of your heart, and spent your time wisely – loving and serving other people? And most of all, do you have a genuine, personal relationship with Jesus Christ?ĭeep thoughts today. He has his funeral planned, his personal affairs in order, and a list of phone numbers of people to call when it’s time. Bill’s rich prayer life has brought him into a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who will be no stranger when he meets him in heaven one day.īill said he is ready to face his maker today, or whenever the Lord decides to call him home. Confession throughout the years and reception of the Eucharist has brought much peace and healing to his soul. He’s not afraid of death and there are very few regrets he has. It is because Bill knows that he is on a pilgrim journey and heaven is his real home.ĭaily mass, confession, prayer, adoration and service to others are a permanent way of life for Bill. He has spent a lifetime preparing for his final home, with joy, not sorrow. He actually looks forward to going to heaven! He looks forward to being reunited with all the people he loved and cared about in his life, and most of all – being with Jesus Christ!īut, Bill is prepared. That’s Bill for you! He spends his life outwardly focused on other people, rather than himself.īill’s acceptance of his own death though, was a powerful, private testimony to his deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ. He was prepared to face his own death, but it was other people’s reaction that he worried about the most. But, he said the worst part was telling other people about it. I expected him to be sad, depressed or down in the dumps about it. After having part of his colon removed, he is facing chemotherapy the first of April. The cancer has spread to five of his lymph nodes. “Bill” was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, a few weeks ago. It is because of a conversation that I was privileged to have Monday, with a fellow volunteer in prison ministry … What sticks in my mind the most today though, are the words: Our relationship with the Lord is actually a private matter, even though we celebrate it publicly with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus also calls us to do this quietly, in private, and in a deeply personal way. They call us to return to the Lord with our whole heart. The readings for mass today, are also very somber and serious. But, do we really give them much thought the rest of the year, when Lent is over? We hear them every year on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. They are such somber, serious sounding words. These are the words that we hear on Ash Wednesday, as we receive the sign of the cross on our foreheads. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
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