Meditation for Sunday

THE END OF MAN

I

Consider, O my soul, that the being you enjoy was given to you by God. He created you in His own image without any merit on your part, adopted you as His child through baptism, and loved you more than the most affectionate parent ever could. He made you all that you are so that you might know Him, love Him, and serve Him in this life, thereby attaining eternal possession of Him in heaven. You did not come into this world for mere enjoyment, to grow rich and powerful, or to eat, drink, and sleep like irrational animals, but solely to love God and work out your eternal salvation. And is this the purpose I have pursued? Oh, how unfortunate I have been in thinking of everything but my final end! O God, I beg Thee, in the name and for the love of Jesus, to grant that I may begin a new life of perfect holiness and conformity to Thy divine will.

II

Consider the deep remorse and bitter regret you will feel at the hour of death if, during life, you have not devoted yourself to the service of God. How great will be your disappointment when, at the close of your days, you realize that all your goods, pleasures, and earthly glory have vanished like a fleeting shadow, leaving behind only bitter regret! What torment when you discover that, for the sake of miserable vanities, you have lost your God, your soul, and your salvation, without the possibility of repair! O despair, O cruel torment! You will then see the value of the time you have squandered, but it will be too late. Gladly would you then purchase more time at any cost, but it will be beyond your reach. Oh, how full of bitterness and sorrow will that day be for every soul that has not loved and served the Lord!

III

Consider how men disregard their final end. Their thoughts revolve around wealth, pleasure, amusement, and festivity, with no concern for God or their salvation. They treat eternity as a trivial matter, unworthy of their attention. O deplorable misfortune! The greater part of Christians, indulging in foolish pleasures and sinful gratifications, plunge themselves into hell. O man, you labor much to damn yourself—will you do nothing for your salvation? Listen to the dying words of a Secretary of State of England: “How great is my misfortune! I have used many sheets of paper writing letters for my sovereign, yet not one to examine my sins and prepare for confession.” Consider the lament of a King of Spain on his deathbed: “Oh, that I had spent my life in a desert, serving God, rather than being a king!” But of what use are these sighs and regrets at death except to deepen despair? Learn today, at the expense of others, to devote yourself to the salvation of your soul. Remember that every action, word, and thought not directed toward God is entirely lost. Do not wait until the gates of eternity and the jaws of hell are before you—it will be too late. O my God, pardon all the errors of my life. I love Thee above all things and am sorry from the bottom of my heart for all my sins. O Mary, my hope, intercede with Jesus on my behalf.