+(Intro) Today we offer our Office and Eucharist for the dead. Along with Fr James and Br Conrad let us remember all those who have died of war, famine or oppression. In one way dying is the most important time of our lives for it is our passage to eternal life so let us be mindful of our sins and failures to prepare ourselves.
(After the gospel) We have been reading in our monastic refectory at the noon meal, A Time To Die, and hear of the experiences of many facing the time of death. We are all in the process of coming to terms with this really, especially as we grow older.
The ways in which each of us says with the prophet Samuel in the first reading: ”Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” is what prepares us for that greatest moment of our lives. Jesus is ever drawing near to each of us in whatever may be the circumstances of our lives. He desires nothing so much as to be our companion and the source of all that we say and do.
Each of our lives is to be a reflection of Christ’s own. The very Body and Blood that we receive is to give us strength in all that we think, do, say and do. Such is the closeness our loving Lord desires to have with us. As this happens, we become healing presences in our world today where there are so many diseases and forces of evil. To do so, ends all fear of death for then we know a life that lasts forever.
1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20; Mark 1:29-39