The conversations in Lent seem to keep heading back to death. Saint Benedict said we should keep death always before our eyes. I think he meant that it helps us keep life in perspective.
I am going away next week and a member of the church asked how I could go away during Lent. It is such an important time in the life of the church. I explained that March 16th is my husband’s big 70th birthday and I thought that was important, too. I had promised to take him on a birthday trip so I will miss a few days of Lent.
Another woman overheard this conversation and she said, “Honey, I have buried two husbands and you are right. He is important. Go on the trip and enjoy every minute of it. You never know how long you will have him.”
Keep death ever before your eyes. If you knew someone you dearly love would die tomorrow what would you do differently today. Can you do that anyway?