The Art of Dying Well...YOU MUST MAKE A CHOICE






"And how many, I ask, shall we find, in our times, so dead to the world as already to have learnt to die to the flesh, and thus to secure their salvation?

I have certainly no doubt, that in the Catholic Church are to be found, not only in monasteries and amongst the clergy, but even in the world, many holy men, truly dead to the world, who have learned the Art of Dying Well.

But it cannot be denied also, that many are to be found, not only NOT dead to the world, but ardently fond of it, and lovers of its pleasures, riches, and
honors: these, unless they resolve to die to the world, and in reality do so, without doubt will die a bad death, and be condemned WITH the world, as the apostles saith.

But in their usual way, the lovers of the world reply, "It is very difficult to die to the world, whilst we are living in it; and to despise those good things which God has created which bring us enjoyment."

To these words I answer, that God does not wish us entirely and absolutely to neglect or despise the finery and honors of this world. Indeed we can only do His will while we are in it.

Abraham was an especial favorite with God; and yet he possessed great riches. David also, and Ezechias, and Josias, were most powerful kings; and at the same time most pleasing to God. The same may be said of many Christian kings and emperors.

The good things we find in this life, therefore its riches, honors, and pleasures are not entirely forbidden to Christians, but rather. the immoderate love of them, which is named by St. John, "the concupiscence of the flesh, the concupiscence of the
eyes, and the pride of life."

Abraham certainly possessed great riches, but he not only made a moderate use of them, he was also most willing to dispose of them, when and how the Almighty willed.
For he who spared not his only beloved son, how much more easily could he part with his riches, if God so wished?
Wherefore Abraham was rich, but he was richer in faith and charity; and therefore he was not of the world, but rather dead to it.

The same may be said of other holy men, who, possessed of riches, power, and glory, and even kingdoms, were yet poor in spirit, dead to the 
world, and thus living to God alone. |
They learned perfectly The Art of Dying Well of which we concern ourselves...

Wherefore, not abundance of riches, nor kingdoms, nor honors, make us to be of the world; but "the concupiscence of the flesh, the concupiscence of the
eyes, and the pride of life, which in one word is called
cupidity, and is opposed to divine charity.

If then we should begin, with the grace of God inspiring us, to love God for His own sake and our neighbors for God's sake, we shall then not be of this world.
And as our love increaseth, our cupidity will diminish; for charity can not increase without the other withering.

Thus, what appears impossible to be done - when we allowed our passions to reign over us - that is, "to live in this world as if we did not belong to it," will be made most easy when this kind of love resides in our heart.

What is an insupportable burden to cupidity, is sweet and light to the love of, and for, God. 

As we said above, to die to the world is no light matter, but a business of the greatest difficulty and importance. Those find it most difficult who know not the power of God's grace, nor have tasted of the sweetness of His love, but are carnal, not having the Spirit.

The lesson not learned is that all carnal objects become insipid, when once we taste of the divine sweetness. 

Wherefore, he who seriously desires to learn the Art of Dying Well, on which his eternal salvation and all true happiness depend, must not put off quitting this world, and entirely dying to it.

Indeed, he cannot possibly live for the world AND for God; he cannot enjoy and love the life of earthly pleasure, and be destined for heaven, too."

Adapted from, "The Art of Dying Well" by Robert Bellarmine

Available free for download, here:

https://archive.org/details/TheArtOfDyingWell 


                                           

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