I don’t often do this, but all this talk of death really got me thinking, so I thought I’d write a “blurb.”
In Medieval times, the subject of death was often on the people’s minds. If you were an adult in those days, then death was nearer to you than your birth. Because of this, the church in those days used a Latin phrase, Memento Mori – A Reminder of Death*, to remind the people that life was temporary – and to finish strong. And that is my encouragement to you today. As you ponder all the death around you – and possibly your own death – look to the cross and know that you have ultimate victory in Christ.
Finish Strong.
In the midst of all this “death talk” we had last night at rehearsal, Ray made an offhanded comment that was so profound I wrote it down:
Things you don’t want to do, but you do (anyway) – it changes you.
– Ray Nario
Folks, life is temporary. We’ll all be worm food before you know it. And there are probably a lot of things we don’t want to do that we should do. Some of these things are significant, and potentially life-changing to you, or to others (I have a list myself!). Accomplish some of those things today. Set a goal before you and go for it: Seek and save the lost, dig into a Bible study, tell all the significant people in your life that you love them, spend more time with your family – whatever it is, go for it. Life’s short.
– Brian
* Capuchin Monks would actually pile bones of the dead in ornate fashion, and dress up the bones of deceased monks, priests and bishops in their former garbs, then put signs on their chests saying things like “I was once like you,” or “You will soon be like me.” These public displays, often found in crypts (church basements) and catacombs, were to remind the people of their own mortality. Often, fear of death kept people in the church! – and that was the point of Memento Mori – the church wanted to remind the people of the ever-present specter of death, and their immediate need for Jesus.
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