learn how to die.”[1] This, dear Christians, is the reason why we are on this earth; for this God gives us every day of our lives that we may prepare worthily for His coming. This is the thought that should be always before our minds to stimulate us: that should be always in our memories crying out to us: prepare for death! Whenever St. Teresa heard the clock strike she used to say to herself: “Teresa! we are already another hour nearer to death.” The holy Scripture calls the life of man a voyage: “My days have passed by as ships,”[2] says the Prophet Job. In the same sense St. Gregory says: “Our life is like one who voyages in a ship.”[3] How does the sailor act that he may continue his voyage in safety? He seats himself in the after-part of the vessel, that he may constantly have both the vessel and the course he has to steer before his eyes, and be thus enabled to make a proper use of the rudder to guide his course. So, too, should we keep our whole future lives before our eyes, and so order them that we may arrive at the haven of a happy eternity. “During our whole lives we should learn how to die.”
But most men do not think of this. Ah, Christians! why are we so careless, indifferent, and forgetful in this great affair on which all depends? Everything else in the world interests us; in everything else we wish to act with prudence. To live, to live long, to live in good health, fortune and prosperity, to avoid suffering and misfortune; this thought drives the hand to labor, the feet to activity, the whole mind to reflection and meditation; for these things every one wishes to be prepared, and dreads coming too late. Death and what comes after it is almost the only thing that is forgotten. The last thought with most people is when, how, or where they shall die, or what means they should use to die well. The mere remembrance of death and eternity, suggested in a sermon, is looked on with chagrin and annoyance, and thrust out of the mind as a, melancholy thought, likely to disturb our peace and the enjoyment of those sensual pleasures that we do not wish to give up.
And therefore are not aware of death until they are dying. As St. Gregory remarks, most men live in such a manner that they are hardly aware of death at all until he knocks at their doors, and is about to strike the fatal blow. This was the case with the celebrated Alexander the Great, of whom we read in the First Book of the Machabees. “After these things he fell down
