Somehow this prayer, on a holy card on my desk, seemed to be an appropriate one to think of at this time:
Offering of Holy Communion As Viaticum
MY GOD!
If I am to die today, or suddenly at any time,
I wish to receive this Communion as my Viaticum.
I desire that my last food may be the Body and Blood
of my Saviour and Redeemer;
my last words, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph;
my last affection, an act of pure love of God and
of perfect contrition for my sins;
my last consolation,
to die in Thy holy grace and
in Thy holy love. Amen.
This issue has been on my mind, starting with this rather prophetic post in February, and in several posts during the month of February. I am beginning to see what a tremendous grace, blessing I received by spending some time as a patient. I have not given adequate thought to preparing for the day I die.
FYI:
New stuff happening behind the scenes at Scorpion Stalking Duck will be announced after Easter.
Stuffed Poblano Pepper Alert:
On Saturday night, I got some takeout Mexican food for my wife and I. She had wanted to go on a 'date' before Holy Week began, and I was too busy to take her out last week. Anyways, I ordered Chili Rellenos, also known as 'Stuffed Poblano Peppers.' It was great, with ground beef inside and an allegedly 'hot' green sauce on the outside(I must be adapting finally to hot sauces), but it made me wonder something. Any time I mention 'stuffed poblano peppers' I get at least one hit from someone who is 'Googling' that term. Why? They are so easy to make; just hollow out a pepper, stuff it and cook it - or more likely just warm it up.
So why the need to look up a recipe for stuffed poblano peppers?
From Preparation for Total Consecration
The Seventh Day(The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 18):
Oh how great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institute! Oh how great was their devotion in prayer, how great was their zeal for virtue! How vigorous the discipline that was kept up, what reverence and obedience, under the rule of the superior, flourished in all! [snip] Now, he is thought great who is not a transgressor; and who can, with patience, endure what he has undertaken.
That last line sums up the world so well, where someone who just obeys the law is seen as a pillar of virtue. God calls us to do so much more than just drive a large van between the lines on the freeway. Sometimes we have to look out for stumbling blocks(or couches) and get away from them. Sometimes we need to apply the brakes before we collide with a yacht or go literally overboard.
2 comments:
On my blog I once had a quick article about the "Mount Everest Controversy" and I have seen a lot of hits from people looking for that our just Mount Everest.
Funny thing the internet is.
You're a brave man. My 16 year old daughter has finally shown an interest in learning to drive. After a few scary Sunday afternoons in a local parking lot, we're looking into driving schools.
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