Let us Hasten to Give Ourselves to God. David calls the happiness of this life a dream of one who awakes from sleep (Ps. lxxii, 20). In explaining these words, a certain author says: The goods of this world appear great, but they are nothing: like a dream, which lasts but a little, and afterward vanishes, they are enjoyed but a short time. The thought, that with death all ends, made St. Francis Borgia resolve to give himself entirely to God. The Saint was obliged to accompany the dead body of the Empress Isabella to Grenada. When the coffin was opened, her appearance was so horrible and the smell so intolerable that all ran away. But St. Francis remained to contemplate in the dead body of his sovereign the vanity of the world; and looking at it, he exclaimed: “Are you then my empress ? Are you the queen before whom so many bent their knee in reverential awe? O Isabella, where is your majesty, your beauty gone ? Thus then,” he said within himself, “end the greatness and the crowns of this world. I will, therefore, henceforth serve a master who can never die.” From that moment he consecrated himself to the love of Jesus crucified; and he made a vow to become a religious, should his wife die before him. This vow he afterward fulfilled by entering into the Society of Jesus. Justly then has a person who was undeceived written on a skull these words: “ Cogitanti vilescunt omnia.” To him who reflects on death, everything in this world appears contemptible; he cannot love the earth. And why are there so many unhappy lovers of this world ? It is because they do not think of death. O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heort ? Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying ? (Ps. iv, 3). Miserable children of Adam, says the Holy Ghost, why do you not chase away from your heart so many earthly affections, which make you love vanity and lies ? What has happened to your forefathers must befall you. They have dwelt in the samepalace which you inhabit, and have slept in your very bed; but now they are no more. Such, too, will be your lot. My brother, give yourself then to God before death comes upon you. Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: (Eccles. Ix, 10). What you can do to-day, defer not till tomorrow; for a day once passed never returns, and tomorrow death may come, and prevent you from ever more being able to do good. Detach yourself instantly from everything which removes, or can remove, you from God. Let us instantly renounce in affection the goods of this earth, before death strips us of them by force. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. (Apoc. xiv, 13). Happy they who at death are already dead to all attachment to this world. They fear not, but desire death, and embrace it with joy; for, instead of separating them from the good which they love, it unites them to the Supreme Good, who is the sole object of their affections, and who will render them happy for eternity. Good morning fellas!
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 05:49:50 +0000
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