Memento Mori
My days all begin in the same way.
Smokey, my cat, wakes me up for breakfast and to signal that I’m still here and have at least one purpose.
His inky black fur is laced with white now… more and more every day…the white fur being a message that time is limited.
I know this because I received the same message with the gray on my head.
I make him a good breakfast…
After I feed him I go out in the house to see if both my mother and her cat are still alive.
Today, they are… if tomorrow comes, I will check again.
There is ash in the forecast here.
Death has not yet arrived, but is in transit.
I have no need to have ash on my forehead today to remind me that I will die.
There is ash all around me…I kick up ash with every step, inhale it with every breath, and push it aside in piles with every prayer.
My temporal hopes and expectations have already turned to dust, my body will follow at the appointed time.
Yet, I live.
All of the ash floating about me reminds me that I will die, but life is still precious.
I will die, but I will rise again at another appointed time.
In some way that I cannot comprehend, I am already in possession of eternal life.
Someday, the ash will blow away, but the life that grew in it will last forever.
It will be…a very good life.
Amen and Amen…your words, my thoughts…my prayer!
“Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return”
BCP
Good reflection…
Beautiful, Michael. Stirs the strong hope of the resurrection in me. Thank you.
Eccl 3:20
“All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.” (NRSV)
Thanks Michael.
Every time spring arrives, with the blossoms and the budding trees, I know that there is a future much more glorious than this one. Recently I’ve lost several friends (the kind you never want to lose), but I know they are already in the beginning of the Glory. I also know that my time here counts for something (So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. i Cor 10:31. I prayerfully try to make those moments count.
On another note, please pray for my 90 year-old father with COVID. He seems to be doing okay in his facility, but they are watching him carefully. He’s not always sure who I am when I call, or when we last talked….and I can’t see him because of his current status. Thanks.
Praying for your dad, Linn.
From dust thou art.
To dust thou shalt return.
From dust thou shalt rise again.
— or —
From ashes you came.
To ashes you return.
From ashes you shall rise again.
Linn, praying for your Dad.
Amen Michael & praying for your Mom.
Linn…prayers for your Dad.
Thank you all you prayer-ers! I appreciate it so much!!
Prayers for Linn’s dad! 🙏