This one really hits home, as we’ve had a lot of deaths in my family this year. We never know when God will call each of us to eternity, which is a sobering reminder and a call to action. Thank you for writing this.
To imagine that there is only today is a call to arms (against the temptation to coast for a while and be holy *later*), and also it is a way to combat the temptation of the enemy when he says "you won't be able to keep this up for the rest of your life; give up and go back to the way you used to live" - perhaps I only have to keep it up for today... I can do *that* with God's help.
I stole it from the autobiography of St Ignatius of Loyola when he (previously Joe Sixpack, the worldly guy next door) has made a radical decision to live like the saints that he has recently come to admire and is figuring out what that means in practice (there is a part also where he is throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks in terms of physical penances "maybe I'll never cut my hair and nails, live in a cave, eat only plants"... I like all of this part of the book also because he is so honest about what it is like to be newly fervent and simultaneously clueless) ... I forget where I put it though, maybe I put it with my kids' books hoping someone will look at it (this trick never works).
This one was really good, Scoot. Thank you.
Thank you for reading, njmksr!
True. Very true. This is good, man.
Really appreciate it Michael, thank you!
Dang Scoot
No u
This one really hits home, as we’ve had a lot of deaths in my family this year. We never know when God will call each of us to eternity, which is a sobering reminder and a call to action. Thank you for writing this.
Glad it resonated—thanks for reading Chantal!
To imagine that there is only today is a call to arms (against the temptation to coast for a while and be holy *later*), and also it is a way to combat the temptation of the enemy when he says "you won't be able to keep this up for the rest of your life; give up and go back to the way you used to live" - perhaps I only have to keep it up for today... I can do *that* with God's help.
Whoa!!! I hadnt thought of that second sense. Thats exactly right and a great point!
I stole it from the autobiography of St Ignatius of Loyola when he (previously Joe Sixpack, the worldly guy next door) has made a radical decision to live like the saints that he has recently come to admire and is figuring out what that means in practice (there is a part also where he is throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks in terms of physical penances "maybe I'll never cut my hair and nails, live in a cave, eat only plants"... I like all of this part of the book also because he is so honest about what it is like to be newly fervent and simultaneously clueless) ... I forget where I put it though, maybe I put it with my kids' books hoping someone will look at it (this trick never works).
https://ignatius.com/a-pilgrims-journey-piljp/
Seem to recall him having a close shave during the Spanish Ciivl War. All the perspective a man might need!
I had no idea! That would keep memento mori rattling around my mind too, wow
Good article. Think of heaven, be thankful for today’s gifts. “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.”
Glad you liked it AltairDave!