Reflection #42
Precious Is the
Death of the Saints
Precious Is the
Death of the Saints
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints." (Psalms 115:15). Why is the death of the Saints called precious? "Because," replies St. Bernard, "it is so rich in blessings that it deserves to be purchased at any price."
Some persons attached to this world would wish that there was no such thing as death; but St. Augustine says: "What is it to live long upon this earth except to remain long in suffering?" "The miseries and sorrows which constantly afflict us in this present life are so great," says St. Ambrose, "that death seems rather a relief than a punishment."
Death terrifies sinners because they know that from the first death, if they die in sin, they will pass to the second death, which is eternal; but it does not terrify the good, who trusting in the merits of Jesus Christ, have sufficient signs to give them a moral assurance that they are in the grace of God. Wherefore, those words, "Depart, Christian soul, from this world," which are so terrible to those who die against their will, do not afflict the Saints, who have preserved their hearts free from worldly love and with a true affection were always repeating: "My God and my all."
To these, death is not a torment, but a rest from the anguish they have suffered in struggling with temptations and in quieting their scruples and their fear of offending God, so that what St. John writes of them is fulfilled: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord! From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors." (Apocalypse 14:13). He that dies loving God is not disturbed by the pains which death brings with it; but rather, he is glad of them, that he may offer them to God as the last remnants of his life. Oh what peace is experienced by him who dies when he has abandoned himself into the arms of Jesus Christ, who chose for Himself a death of bitterness and desolation, that He might obtain for us a death of sweetness and resignation!
O my Jesus, Thou art my judge, but Thou art also my Redeemer, who hast died to save me. From the time of my first sin, I deserved to be condemned to Hell, but in Thy mercy Thou hast given me a deep sorrow for my sins; wherefore, I confidently hope that now Thou hast pardoned me. I did not deserve to love Thee anymore, but Thou by Thy benefits hast drawn me to Thy love. If it is Thy will that death should come to me in this sickness, I willingly accept it. I well see that I do not deserve to enter Paradise at once; I go contented to Purgatory, to suffer as long as it pleases Thee. There my greatest pain will be to remain far from Thee, sighing to come and see Thee and love Thee face to face. Therefore, O my beloved Savior, have pity on me.
And what else is this present life but a state of perpetual danger of losing God? "We walk amidst snares," says St. Ambrose; amidst the snares and deceits of enemies who seek to make us lose the divine grace. Therefore, St. Teresa, every time that the clock struck, gave thanks to God that another hour of struggle and peril had passed without sin; and therefore also, she was so rejoiced at the tidings that her death was at hand, considering that her conflicts were over and the time was near for her to depart and behold her God.
In this present life we cannot live without defects. This is the motive which makes souls that love God even desire death. It was this thought which, at the time of death, Rejoiced Father Vincent Carafa when he said: "Now that I finish my life, I cease to offend God." A certain virtuous man gave directions to his attendants that, at the time of his death, they should often repeat to him these words: "Comfort thyself, because the time is near when thou wilt no more offend God."
And what else is this body to us but a prison in which the soul is confined, so that it cannot depart to unite itself with God? On this account, St. Francis, inflamed with love at the hour of his death, cried out with the prophet: "Bring my soul out of prison." (Psalms 141:8). O Lord, deliver me from this prison which prevents me from seeing Thee. O Amiable death, who can fear thee and not desire thee, since thou art the end of labor and the beginning of eternal life! St. Pionius the Martyr, standing by the scaffold, showed himself so full of joy that the people who stood by wondered at his delight and asked him how he could be so happy when he was just about to die. "You are mistaken," said he, "you are mistaken; I am not hastening to death, but to life."
O most sweet Jesus, I thank Thee for not having made me die when I was under Thy wrath and for having won my heart by so many loving artifices which Thou hast employed. When I think of the displeasure I have often given Thee, I should wish to die of grief. This my soul, which once was lost, I now commit wholly into Thy hands. "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit." (Like 23:46). Remember, O Lord, that Thou hast redeemed it with Thy death. "Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth." (Psalms 30:6). I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness, and I desire to depart quickly from this life, that I may come and love Thee with a more perfect love in Heaven. Meanwhile, as long as I shall live on this earth, make me know always better my obligation to love Thee. O my God, receive me; I give myself wholly to Thee, and I put my trust in Thee through the merits of Jesus Christ.
I trust also in thy intercession, O Mary, my hope.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)
Some persons attached to this world would wish that there was no such thing as death; but St. Augustine says: "What is it to live long upon this earth except to remain long in suffering?" "The miseries and sorrows which constantly afflict us in this present life are so great," says St. Ambrose, "that death seems rather a relief than a punishment."
Death terrifies sinners because they know that from the first death, if they die in sin, they will pass to the second death, which is eternal; but it does not terrify the good, who trusting in the merits of Jesus Christ, have sufficient signs to give them a moral assurance that they are in the grace of God. Wherefore, those words, "Depart, Christian soul, from this world," which are so terrible to those who die against their will, do not afflict the Saints, who have preserved their hearts free from worldly love and with a true affection were always repeating: "My God and my all."
To these, death is not a torment, but a rest from the anguish they have suffered in struggling with temptations and in quieting their scruples and their fear of offending God, so that what St. John writes of them is fulfilled: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord! From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors." (Apocalypse 14:13). He that dies loving God is not disturbed by the pains which death brings with it; but rather, he is glad of them, that he may offer them to God as the last remnants of his life. Oh what peace is experienced by him who dies when he has abandoned himself into the arms of Jesus Christ, who chose for Himself a death of bitterness and desolation, that He might obtain for us a death of sweetness and resignation!
O my Jesus, Thou art my judge, but Thou art also my Redeemer, who hast died to save me. From the time of my first sin, I deserved to be condemned to Hell, but in Thy mercy Thou hast given me a deep sorrow for my sins; wherefore, I confidently hope that now Thou hast pardoned me. I did not deserve to love Thee anymore, but Thou by Thy benefits hast drawn me to Thy love. If it is Thy will that death should come to me in this sickness, I willingly accept it. I well see that I do not deserve to enter Paradise at once; I go contented to Purgatory, to suffer as long as it pleases Thee. There my greatest pain will be to remain far from Thee, sighing to come and see Thee and love Thee face to face. Therefore, O my beloved Savior, have pity on me.
And what else is this present life but a state of perpetual danger of losing God? "We walk amidst snares," says St. Ambrose; amidst the snares and deceits of enemies who seek to make us lose the divine grace. Therefore, St. Teresa, every time that the clock struck, gave thanks to God that another hour of struggle and peril had passed without sin; and therefore also, she was so rejoiced at the tidings that her death was at hand, considering that her conflicts were over and the time was near for her to depart and behold her God.
In this present life we cannot live without defects. This is the motive which makes souls that love God even desire death. It was this thought which, at the time of death, Rejoiced Father Vincent Carafa when he said: "Now that I finish my life, I cease to offend God." A certain virtuous man gave directions to his attendants that, at the time of his death, they should often repeat to him these words: "Comfort thyself, because the time is near when thou wilt no more offend God."
And what else is this body to us but a prison in which the soul is confined, so that it cannot depart to unite itself with God? On this account, St. Francis, inflamed with love at the hour of his death, cried out with the prophet: "Bring my soul out of prison." (Psalms 141:8). O Lord, deliver me from this prison which prevents me from seeing Thee. O Amiable death, who can fear thee and not desire thee, since thou art the end of labor and the beginning of eternal life! St. Pionius the Martyr, standing by the scaffold, showed himself so full of joy that the people who stood by wondered at his delight and asked him how he could be so happy when he was just about to die. "You are mistaken," said he, "you are mistaken; I am not hastening to death, but to life."
O most sweet Jesus, I thank Thee for not having made me die when I was under Thy wrath and for having won my heart by so many loving artifices which Thou hast employed. When I think of the displeasure I have often given Thee, I should wish to die of grief. This my soul, which once was lost, I now commit wholly into Thy hands. "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit." (Like 23:46). Remember, O Lord, that Thou hast redeemed it with Thy death. "Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth." (Psalms 30:6). I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness, and I desire to depart quickly from this life, that I may come and love Thee with a more perfect love in Heaven. Meanwhile, as long as I shall live on this earth, make me know always better my obligation to love Thee. O my God, receive me; I give myself wholly to Thee, and I put my trust in Thee through the merits of Jesus Christ.
I trust also in thy intercession, O Mary, my hope.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)
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