A Sunday Thought to Start the Week Off Right
This past Friday a Sergeant in the NYPD was shot and killed responding to a home invasion. His fellow officer was also shot, but he survived and is in stable condition in the hospital. With all the hub-bub going on about the police in this country, a terrible event like this slaps us across the face and reminds us that some people put their lives in harm's way to keep us safe. And they do this each and every time they head off to work.
Two things here: First, the next time I head off to work with a less than stellar attitude and demeanor - maybe because I didn't get a good night's sleep - perhaps I can recall Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo and pray for the repose of his soul and God's consolation for his family. It puts our daily work in a proper perspective, no matter how challenging or difficult that work may be. Second, the suddenness of this police officer's death reminds us that, for some of us, death lingers just around that bend in the road ahead. And it reminds us of the importance of remaining in a state of grace - just in case.
Another thought: The Four Last Things. We're talking here about Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Catholic tradition teaches us to take some time to meditate on these throughout our lives. It grounds us in reality as nothing else can.
We will all face the first two. No way around it. We may not particularly want to think about Death, but, really, it's coming. And most of us have no idea when. That simple idea - that we don't know when - should wake us up and get us off to Confession, especially if we haven't been for a while. As for Judgment, simply recall certain - to put it delicately - indiscretions in your past. For most of us, a few minutes of this will elicit an urgent petition for mercy. The ancient aspiration "Jesus, mercy!" springs to mind.
Then there's Heaven and Hell. We really don't need extensive instruction here, one hopes. Thoughts of Heaven should inflame us with the desire to - as we say at the end of the Act of Contrition - "confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life." Knowing that our invitation to Heaven will be determined by us being in a state of grace when the day comes to meet Our Lord for our paritcular Judgment, as well as meditating on the glory of eternal life in Heaven should help us do whatever we need to do to be in that state of grace.
As for Hell, just flip things around. A few moments contemplating even the possibility that we might spend eternity in such darkness and misery should reinforce our desire for holiness - if, for some reason, the thought of Heaven doesn't do the trick. As for those who imply either that Hell doesn't exist or that no one really goes there (except maybe Hitler), perhpaps these words of Our Lord from Matthew 7: 13-14 will help here:
That's pretty much all we need to know to settle that issue. And notice that, of the Four Things, Hell comes last. Think of that placement as a kind of safety net. If needed to to shake us out of our sinfulness or torpor, by all means go for it.
So in this month of November, dedicated to the Holy Souls, let's remember the Four Last Things as we pray for those who've died, especially those we knew when they walked this earth with us. And for NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, maybe today we can take a moment for that beautiful prayer we Catholics direct towards God in memory of our faithful departed:
Two things here: First, the next time I head off to work with a less than stellar attitude and demeanor - maybe because I didn't get a good night's sleep - perhaps I can recall Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo and pray for the repose of his soul and God's consolation for his family. It puts our daily work in a proper perspective, no matter how challenging or difficult that work may be. Second, the suddenness of this police officer's death reminds us that, for some of us, death lingers just around that bend in the road ahead. And it reminds us of the importance of remaining in a state of grace - just in case.
Another thought: The Four Last Things. We're talking here about Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. Catholic tradition teaches us to take some time to meditate on these throughout our lives. It grounds us in reality as nothing else can.
We will all face the first two. No way around it. We may not particularly want to think about Death, but, really, it's coming. And most of us have no idea when. That simple idea - that we don't know when - should wake us up and get us off to Confession, especially if we haven't been for a while. As for Judgment, simply recall certain - to put it delicately - indiscretions in your past. For most of us, a few minutes of this will elicit an urgent petition for mercy. The ancient aspiration "Jesus, mercy!" springs to mind.
Then there's Heaven and Hell. We really don't need extensive instruction here, one hopes. Thoughts of Heaven should inflame us with the desire to - as we say at the end of the Act of Contrition - "confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life." Knowing that our invitation to Heaven will be determined by us being in a state of grace when the day comes to meet Our Lord for our paritcular Judgment, as well as meditating on the glory of eternal life in Heaven should help us do whatever we need to do to be in that state of grace.
As for Hell, just flip things around. A few moments contemplating even the possibility that we might spend eternity in such darkness and misery should reinforce our desire for holiness - if, for some reason, the thought of Heaven doesn't do the trick. As for those who imply either that Hell doesn't exist or that no one really goes there (except maybe Hitler), perhpaps these words of Our Lord from Matthew 7: 13-14 will help here:
Enter ye in at the narrow gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way the leadeth to destruction,
and many there are who go in thereat.
How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life:
and few there are that find it!
That's pretty much all we need to know to settle that issue. And notice that, of the Four Things, Hell comes last. Think of that placement as a kind of safety net. If needed to to shake us out of our sinfulness or torpor, by all means go for it.
So in this month of November, dedicated to the Holy Souls, let's remember the Four Last Things as we pray for those who've died, especially those we knew when they walked this earth with us. And for NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, maybe today we can take a moment for that beautiful prayer we Catholics direct towards God in memory of our faithful departed:
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord
And may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed
Through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
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