Famous Last Words

“One never knows the ending. One has to die to know exactly what happens after death, although Catholics have their hopes.” They were the last words spoken by Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense. Although he was taught by Jesuits, his life took a different road. But, he knew we had hope.

There have been many recorded last words of people, some famous, some criminals just before their execution, of actors, and of course of saints. Some you can believe, while others are doubtful that’s what they really said.

Winston Churchill apparently is reported as saying, ““I’m bored with it all”, just before he took his last breath.  St. Thomas Moore said, “I die the King’s servant, but God’s first”.

But, the one that should make us reflect on my own lives is from St. Teresa of Ávila. She said, “After all I die as a child of the Church.

My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may Your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time for us to meet one another.”

Can you imagine being that certain, having that much love for our Lord, facing death with joy. Knowing that what you are about to enter is greater than any pleasure on this earth. And St. Paul rightly tells us, “death where is your sting”.

And yet, the most assuring words of a person leaving us is in the Gospel.  The last recorded words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, “I am with you always, until the end of the age”. What could be more comforting?  

Are these not the most encouraging words you could ever hear? A companion every step of the way, one stronger than you, one who won’t allow you to get lost, who forgives so easily.  

It just makes life worth living, knowing the creator of the entire universe is your best friend.

And if we truly believe that Jesus walks every step with us, guiding us on our journey, then with that trust, there is no room for fear. Our eyes, our focus must be on heaven and our hopes in seeing our Lord face to face.  

In that Gospel we see the last appearance of Jesus as he is Ascended into heaven. I can only imagine that the short time, those 40 days that Jesus was with his apostles after his Resurrection, flew by so quickly for the them.

And as he disappeared from this earth, their eyes were raised to heaven, to dwell where Jesus has gone before them and us.

And their joy was to be made complete. For it was that promise that Jesus gave them and to us at the Last Supper, “I will go and prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself; that where I am you also may be.

They are the words that give us the hope, the words that St. Teresa knew in her heart would be true. They are the very words that must grow in strength in our own hearts, for he is with us always until the end of the age”

They believed in that promise, and the promise that I will not leave you orphans, but will send you an Advocate. Yes, there is always sadness when we say good-by to someone we love, but on that day, there was hope and there was joy.

The Ascension is a feast of joyful hope, a sweet foretaste of heaven. And by going before us, Jesus has giving us the right to follow him there some day.

Jesus leaves us not as orphans, but as a brother, who will look after us with love.

He has assured us that he had conquered death and he will come back for those who love him.

That he has commissioned us, to make disciples of the whole world, preach his good news.  That with the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit, this can be done.

That we won’t shy away from spreading his Gospel out of fear of offending someone, or fear that people may think we have lost touch with world. Or we have not changed with the times.

And most importantly, his promise to us, his very last words in the Gospel of Matthew, “I am with you always, until the end of the age”

Imagine, you are standing there with the disciples and Jesus is in your midst. He is in his glory. And you begin to feel his power, and this strange sensation of internal joy fills your heart.

And as he rises beyond the clouds, you know there is no other place you would rather be, than to follow your Savior into heaven.

So, our hearts are always looking upward, storing our treasures in heaven. Yes, we are helping Jesus in preparing a place for us.

Each day brings us closer, and each day is a day to focus on how we can find the light of Christ. Yes, we lift-up our prayers to heaven praying that we too will be lifted up to heaven someday.

Our Churches are open providing us with the nourishment we need in the Blessed Sacrament for our journey.

We need our place to pray again, to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord, to celebrate the Passion, death and the Resurrection of Jesus.  

Let us pray that “Oh, Jesus, who entered into heaven, grant that I too may live there in spirit. For I trust in your Words, in your power, in your forgiveness, in your love.

But, most of all Jesus, although I struggle, I know I have a friend in you, for I believe that you are with me always, even to the end of the age.