Imitation of Christ Ch. 21: Focus on the Future

The Imitation of Christ, Chapter 21:5:

"If thou wouldst oftener think of death than of a long life, no doubt thou wouldst more fervently amend thyself. And if thou didst seriously consider in thy heart the future punishment of hell or purgatory, I believe thou wouldst willingly endure labor and pain, and fear no kind of austerity."

As parents we take seriously planning for our death. We write wills and purchase life insurance, so that our families will be provided for. But what about the provision of our souls? Do we plan to amend our lives - eventually? Do we neglect confession, thinking we will have one last chance before we go? Do we cling to our sins and our earthly desires, always thinking there will be time later for purification? Did we neglect our Lenten observance this year, thinking that next year we will do better?

We scoff at those who obsess about "end times", but we all are facing our own end times. It may come in one day or two, or it may come in twenty years. We cannot wait to be ready tomorrow. We have to be ready now. Our lamps must stay full.