death; therefore the pious need not fear death, for they are always ready for it, as we have seen on a former occasion. But how will it be with sinners if they are called away without doing penance? Alas! there is nothing more terrible to think of than this miserable death: for there is nothing consoling in it, but everything that is wretched, as I shall now show you by way of meditation.
Plan of Discourse.
The death of sinners and the wicked is full of woe and misery, without help or consolation; such is the subject of the meditation. It is full of misery without help or consolation from creatures; the first part; full of misery without help or consolation from God; the second part; for the encouragement of the good, that they may persevere in the state of grace; as a salutary warning for the wicked, that they may at once repent, lest they should die such a death.
We beg both these graces from Thee, O Lord of life and death! who hast endured the most bitter of all deaths, that none of us might die an unhappy death, and we beg it through that Mother who brought Life into the world, and whom if any one truly loves during his life on earth he will not have to fear an unhappy death; and also through the intercession of those angels who help the just in their last moments.
In nearly all the sorrows of life some comfort and help may be found.
Help and comfort in the hour of need take away half our misery. Nature has given every man a voice, that he may at once call for help when he is in distress. If a child or an old man falls down in the street he calls out for help; if one is in danger of drowning he cries out for help; if one falls among robbers or assassins he cries out for help. Fear and anguish are lessened when there is hope of aid. The first means of succor that nature has given to every one in sorrow is to seek consolation somewhere, either in his own thoughts, or in complaints and prayers addressed to others that they may asisst him, or at least speak to him words of comfort. And many a one thinks he has got rid of half the load of his grief when he has revealed it to a good friend. If the father of a family dies, what an affliction for the children! yet they have the consolation of knowing that their mother is still left to them. If a son or daughter dies, what grief for the parents!