Today amid the scandal, false witness and rash judgment too often on display within the Church and political life, and amid the general confusion in our world about the Truth, the Church reminds us of the need to detach from this transitory life and remember the Four Last Things — death, judgment, heaven and hell. Now is the time to take account of how we live and to reconcile our hearts and minds to Christ in recognition of our mortality. It’s also a time to account for those who are entrusted to our care — to pray for our loved ones who are far from the Church and to pray for the souls of the faithful who have gone before us in death.

St. Cyprian of Carthage, a third-century Church Father, once called his flock to attention with these words, “Here, life is either lost or kept. Here, by the worship of God and by the fruit of faith, provision is made for eternal salvation. Let no one be kept back either by his sins or by his years from coming to obtain salvation. To him who still remains in this world there is no repentance that is too late.”

Till that last day, may all of us, through Mass, confession and prayer or in spiritual and corporal works of mercy, know that the clear promise of Christ and his Church shines through all of the distraction and confusion. Let’s let this awareness of eternity motivate our present actions and thoughts and redirect them more and more to Christ.

God bless you!