By Pamela Patnode

WINE - Must Be Prepared

 

“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” ~ Luke 12:40

 

The Rule of St. Benedict says, “Keep death before your eyes daily” (RB Chapter 4). This is not a morbid admonition, nor is Christ’s directive to “be prepared” intended to be a “wet blanket” on joy. Rather, both serve as a reminder that life is fleeting, and we must always keep the end goal (the eternal goal) before us.

As I write this reflection, I am sitting with my father, who is dying of cancer. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he says, “When you read this, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. …” In saying, “When you read this,” Paul recognized that there would be a delay from the time he wrote the words until they would be received. Likewise, I write these words in advance of them being posted online. It is not lost on me that during the delay (from today as I write these words to the time when you read them), my father will likely pass away.

A Summer of Death

This past summer was unusual for us due to the number of deaths that occurred. My friend’s 55-year-old husband died of cancer, another friend’s 18-year-old son died in an accident, and my neighbor’s 8-year-old son was struck by a car while riding his bike. He, too, died. And now I await my father’s passing. As I reflect upon the deaths of so many in such a short amount of time, I re-read Jesus’ words to his Apostles in today’s Gospel. “You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Of all those who died this past summer, young and old, I noticed something they all had in common. Each was strong in their faith and truly lived it with great intention. Likewise, in accompanying the grieving families, there is another commonality. Although their grief is profound, their hope in Christ is strong.

None of us know when we will be called home to the Lord. I pray that, whenever the time comes, those who observe my passing will be able to say, “She loved Jesus, and she lived her faith. She was ready (prepared) to meet the Lord.”

 

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, please be with those who will die today and the families who will grieve them.

Call to Action:

Consider who needs a word of encouragement. Send one note, text message, email, or phone call to someone who is grieving or feeling alone.

 

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