My Thoughts on 02/05/2020

I hesitate to write about this because of the time we live in. I want to think about our death. At the daily briefing from Number 10 we are given the number of those who have died from the Covid-19 virus. We can read and listen to heart rending stories of families that cannot say goodbye in the way they would like to their dying loved ones. All this reminds us of our own mortality. This can make us fearful and anxious.

St Benedict in his rule writes: “Day by Day remind yourself that you are going to die.” We know we are born to die and this fact of life gives us perspective on how we choose to live.

As we enter the month of May we can see all around us the signs of new life in the vegetation and animals. They are signs of hope and joy. At the end of today’s Gospel from St John (6:68) Jesus is faced with some of his followers leaving him because they could not accept what he was saying. He turned to the twelve and said: “What about you, do you want to go away too?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus has the message of eternal life and we have been given this gift of eternal life at our baptism. We have all been created to share eternal life. We can best prepare for this, through the grace of God, by living a selfless life.

Lord help me to be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Give me the grace to bear with others, to forgive others, that I my die to self as I prepare for eternal life.