Thought for the day

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

The following thoughts of Thomas Kempis seem to be very profound.

Whatever our affiliations in this unreal world be, whether we are

protagonists of dualism or non-dualism or neo-nondualism, all of us

are going to die leaving nothing behind us, the individuals holding

our memories also becoming one with the dust, to quote from Marcus

Aurelius. Hence, existentially speaking, the understanding of death

and psychologically being prepared for that, seem to be more relevant

instead of being sophists in our articulations.

yours lovingly,

Sankarraman

**

VERY soon your life here will end; consider, then, what may be in

store for you elsewhere. Today we live; tomorrow we die and are

quickly forgotten. Oh, the dullness and hardness of a heart which

looks only to the present instead of preparing for that which is to

come!

 

Therefore, in every deed and every thought, act as though you were to

die this very day. If you had a good conscience you would not fear

death very much. It is better to avoid sin than to fear death. If you

are not prepared today, how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow

is an uncertain day; how do you know you will have a tomorrow?

What good is it to live a long life when we amend that life so

little? Indeed, a long life does not always benefit us, but on the

contrary, frequently adds to our guilt. Would that in this world we

had lived well throughout one single day. Many count up the years

they have spent in religion but find their lives made little holier.

If it is so terrifying to die, it is nevertheless possible that to

live longer is more dangerous. Blessed is he who keeps the moment of

death ever before his eyes and prepares for it every day.

 

If you have ever seen a man die, remember that you, too, must go the

same way. In the morning consider that you may not live till evening,

and when evening comes do not dare to promise yourself the dawn. Be

always ready, therefore, and so live that death will never take you

unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly, for in the unexpected

hour the Son of God will come. When that last moment arrives you will

begin to have a quite different opinion of the life that is now

entirely past and you will regret very much that you were so careless

and remiss.

 

How happy and prudent is he who tries now in life to be what he wants

to be found in death. Perfect contempt of the world, a lively desire

to advance in virtue, a love for discipline, the works of penance,

readiness to obey, self-denial, and the endurance of every hardship

for the love of God, these will give a man great expectations of a

happy death.

 

You can do many good works when in good health; what can you do when

you are ill? Few are made better by sickness. Likewise they who

undertake many pilgrimages seldom become holy.

 

Do not put your trust in friends and relatives, and do not put off

the care of your soul till later, for men will forget you more

quickly than you think. It is better to provide now, in time, and

send some good account ahead of you than to rely on the help of

others. If you do not care for your own welfare now, who will care

when you are gone?

 

The present is very precious; these are the days of salvation; now is

the acceptable time. How sad that you do not spend the time in which

you might purchase everlasting life in a better way. The time will

come when you will want just one day, just one hour in which to make

amends, and do you know whether you will obtain it?

 

See, then, dearly beloved, the great danger from which you can free

yourself and the great fear from which you can be saved, if only you

will always be wary and mindful of death. Try to live now in such a

manner that at the moment of death you may be glad rather than

fearful. Learn to die to the world now, that then you may begin to

live with God. Learn to spurn all things now, that then you may

freely go to Him. Chastise your body in penance now, that then you

may have the confidence born of certainty.

 

Ah, foolish man, why do you plan to live long when you are not sure

of living even a day? How many have been deceived and suddenly

snatched away! How often have you heard of persons being killed by

drownings, by fatal falls from high places, of persons dying at

meals, at play, in fires, by the sword, in pestilence, or at the

hands of robbers! Death is the end of everyone and the life of man

quickly passes away like a shadow.

 

Who will remember you when you are dead? Who will pray for you? Do

now, beloved, what you can, because you do not know when you will

die, nor what your fate will be after death. Gather for yourself the

riches of immortality while you have time. Think of nothing but your

salvation. Care only for the things of God. Make friends for yourself

now by honoring the saints of God, by imitating their actions, so

that when you depart this life they may receive you into everlasting

dwellings.

 

Keep yourself as a stranger here on earth, a pilgrim whom its affairs

do not concern at all. Keep your heart free and raise it up to God,

for you have not here a lasting home. To Him direct your daily

prayers, your sighs and tears, that your soul may merit after death

to pass in happiness to the Lord.

 

Thomas Kempis