The End Of Man by Fr. Lasance

Meditate on the words of the wise man: “In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin.” (Ecclus vii,40)

Reflect how true it is that the rememberance of the four last things has a marvelous efficacy to restrain the soul from sin, and to disentangle the heart from inordinate affections to the things of this world – to honor, wealth and pleasure. Hardened sinners have often been converted from their wicked ways to a penitential life by the terror of these thundering truths : death, judgement, hell, and eternity. Meditation on these tremendous truths has sent numbers into deserts or religious houses, there to secure their eternal salvation by a saintly life; moreover, the considerations of such sublime truths have generally laid the the first foundation even of the most eminent sanctity.

Oh! what lessons may we not learn among the silent monuments of the dead, who attracted attention and made some noise heretofore in the world, but now are thought of no more! What salutary exhortations may we not daily receive by attending in spirit the trials at the great bar; by going down while we are alive into the darksome dungeons below, and viewing with dread the torments of the damned; and by ascending up into heaven, and contemplating those blessed mansions of eternal bliss prepared as a reward for the momentary labour and sufferings of the servants of God?

Let us daily frequent these schools to learn the science of saints. Let us resolve to think often on these important subjects which concern so intimately our everlasting welfare; it will teach us to be always in readiness for judgement; it will keep us out of hell; it will bring us to heaven.

MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US.