Daily Meditation - Saturday 31July 2008 - AT THE MOMENT OF OUR DEATH

[BarbaraTherese]

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Memorial

****St. **[Ignatius of Loyola (http://www.catholicculture.org/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2008-07-31)

Mass Readings & Meditation
Readings

Meditation

Matthew 13:47-53

What will we feel at the moment of our death?

• Will we be fearful over what may happen to us?
• Or will we be full of anticipation at the thought that we will soon come face-to-face with the Lord?
• Our answer reveals much about the state of our faith.
• Without strong faith in God’s love and mercy, we may be afraid.

We could be frightened that there will be nothing after death or, worse yet, that there will be a harsh judgment about our life.

• Jesus ended a string of seven parables talking about, appropriately enough, “the end of the age” (Matthew 13:49).
• His words left no doubt that there will be a final judgment when he comes in glory.
• At the Last Judgment, "the truth of each man’s relationship with God will be laid bare" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1039).

Frightening as this may sound, we need to remember also that the last day “will reveal that God’s justice triumphs over all . . . God’s love is stronger than death” (CCC, 1040).

• Death and judgment are topics most people avoid.
• Yet they are inevitable.
• We can live our lives preparing for our eternal destiny,
• or we can let the day-to-day demands of life preoccupy us and obscure the future.

The Last Judgment is essentially a call to conversion.

• God wants us to be counted among the righteous,
• and he gives us every opportunity to come to him in prayer and repentance.
• He sent his Son to die on the cross for us so that we could enjoy everlasting life.
  If you have experienced God’s presence in your earthly life and have truly repented of your sins,
• you can trust that God’s mercy will bring you into his everlasting presence in heaven.
• As you seek Jesus in prayer,
• he will give you a godly perspective and help you to fix your eyes on the final day when you will be united with him forever.

So ask the Lord for an increase in faith so that at the moment of your death, you will know, without worry or doubt, that the Lord is waiting to greet you.

“Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life.
Cast out my fears of death and judgment.
I know that you are a loving God,
and I long to see you face-to-face.”

 

[littleone]

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Mass Readings & Meditation
Readings

Meditation

Matthew 13:47-53

Thank you for that Barb, so reassuring that it is those who do not repent who donot get to heaven.
One of our priests mentioned this at mass.
I rely upon the words you wrote,

“Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life.
Cast out my fears of death and judgment.
I know that you are a loving God,
and I long to see you face-to-face.”

“Lord I give You my eyes, that I may serve, seeing others through Your eyes”.

Godbless Barb.