A Sunday Thought About Being "Ultimately" Prepared to Start the Week Off Right
At work - or really in any endeavor - nothing beats being prepared. Walking into a situation unprepared, if you've ever done it, usually doesn't turn out well. Being prepared, on the other hand, keeps us on our toes; we're able to put our best foot forward; with our best efforts, we've done all we can, not matter the situation. What more could anyone ask of us?
During November, as is appropriate for us Catholics, we've been thinking about and praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. They need our prayers, and we want to "be there" for them. Our charity flows freely to them, as it should, but let's not forget that one day we'll be on the "other side." And for that we need to be prepared.
Even those of us who appreciate the importance of preparation in our daily lives sometimes neglect preparation for that day when we will face Our Lord. Don't.
If you need some motivation to take this "ultimate" preparation seriously, perhaps the Muslim terrorist attacks in Paris this past Friday night will do the trick. It's likely none of the folks who died expected to die that way. Despite the reality of the threat of Islamic terrorism, I don't walk around each day in expectation of facing death at the hands of Muslims intent of killing in the name of God. But when I saw the news feeds Friday night, having been caught in the midst of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the thought crossed my mind - again. At the time, I three times said a sincere Act of Contrition, thinking I might die.
In this light, we might note these words:
Every Sunday, we reserve special time for the Lord. After all, it's His Day. Why not take some of that time to carefully, thoughtfully pray and meditate on the beautiful words of this prayer? Here it is in full.
During November, as is appropriate for us Catholics, we've been thinking about and praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. They need our prayers, and we want to "be there" for them. Our charity flows freely to them, as it should, but let's not forget that one day we'll be on the "other side." And for that we need to be prepared.
Even those of us who appreciate the importance of preparation in our daily lives sometimes neglect preparation for that day when we will face Our Lord. Don't.
If you need some motivation to take this "ultimate" preparation seriously, perhaps the Muslim terrorist attacks in Paris this past Friday night will do the trick. It's likely none of the folks who died expected to die that way. Despite the reality of the threat of Islamic terrorism, I don't walk around each day in expectation of facing death at the hands of Muslims intent of killing in the name of God. But when I saw the news feeds Friday night, having been caught in the midst of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the thought crossed my mind - again. At the time, I three times said a sincere Act of Contrition, thinking I might die.
In this light, we might note these words:
...Sin no longer, O my soul! Think upon the sudden change from sin to endless woe. There, in hell, penance is not accepted, and tears profit not. Turn, then, whilst thou hast time; cry out and say: Have mercy upon me, O my God!...These words come from the beautiful, complex, and profound Prayer for Deliverance From an Unprovided Death. We would all do well to know this prayer. It reminds us we don't want to ever be in the position of facing sudden death without being a state of grace. But it goes beyond mere warning, reminding us that our prayer for mercy falls on the ears of loving and merciful God:
...if Thou shouldst mark iniquities, no creature shall be able to stand before Thee: but in that marvelous charity, through which Thou didst create us, pardon us sinners, and destroy not the work of Thine own hands by sudden death...The rest of the prayer provides us with not only inspiration to be prepared, but a deep understanding of just why that's so important.
Every Sunday, we reserve special time for the Lord. After all, it's His Day. Why not take some of that time to carefully, thoughtfully pray and meditate on the beautiful words of this prayer? Here it is in full.
A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AN UNPROVIDED DEATH
Hear us, O God of our salvation! and issue not the decree for the completion of our days before Thou forgivest us our sins; and because penance avails not in hell, and there is no room there for amendment, therefore do we humbly pray and beseech Thee here on earth, that, giving us time to pray for pardon, Thou wouldst grant us also forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Take away, merciful Lord, all errors from Thy faithful people, avert from them the sudden destruction of the wasting pestilence; that those whose wanderings Thou dost justly chastise, Thou wouldst vouchsafe in Thy tender pity to cherish when corrected. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Antiphon: Sin no longer, O my soul! Think upon the sudden change from sin to endless woe. There, in hell, penance is not accepted, and tears profit not. Turn, then, whilst thou hast time; cry out and say: Have mercy upon me, O my God!
Antiphon: In the midst of life we are in death: whom, then, O Lord, shall we seek to be our helper, save Thee, O Lord! although Thou art indeed angry with us because of sins? O Holy Lord, holy and strong, holy and merciful Saviour! deliver us not ever to a bitter death.
V. – Lest, overtaken by the day of death, we seek time for penance, and be not able to find it.
R. – Hearken! O Lord! and have mercy on us; for we have sinned against Thee.
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, receive in Thy fatherly pity Thy people flying to Thee from Thine anger; that they who fear to be chastised by the rod of Thy Majesty in the suddenness of death, may be made worthy to rejoice in Thy gracious pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, graciously to incline Thine ear to the assembly of Thy Church, and let Thy mercy prevent Thine anger in our behalf; for if Thou shouldst mark iniquities, no creature shall be able to stand before Thee: but in that marvelous charity, through which Thou didst create us, pardon us sinners, and destroy not the work of Thine own hands by sudden death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God! in Whose sight every heart trembles and every conscience is awed; show forth Thy mercy upon us Thy suppliants, that we, who trust not in the excellence of our own merit, may never know Thy judgments in the suddenness of our death, but may receive Thy pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer
Most merciful Lord Jesus! by Thine agony and bloody sweat, and by Thy death, deliver me, I beseech Thee, from a sudden and unprovided death. O most gentle Lord Jesus! by Thy cruel and ignominious scourging and crowning with thorns, by Thy cross and most bitter Passion, and by Thy goodness, I humbly pray Thee, let me not die unprepared and pass from this life without the Holy Sacraments. Jesus, my best Beloved, my Lord! by all Thy labours and sorrows, by Thy precious Blood, and by Thy most holy Wounds, and by those last words spoken on the cross by Thee: “Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquisti me?? – “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” and again: “Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum,” – “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit,” most ardently I pray Thee, save me from a sudden death. Thy hands, O Redeemer! have wholly made and formed me: ah! suffer not death to take me unawares; give me, I beseech Thee, time for penance; vouchsafe that I may pass from this life happily in Thy grace, that I may love Thee with my whole heart, and praise and bless Thee forever and ever.
Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be To The Father…
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