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Friday, July 11, 2025

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St. Benedict



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getting ready to die

“At last I can die, now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive.” —Genesis 46:30

Simeon prayed: “Now, Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace” (Lk 2:29). Simeon was ready to die because he had seen Christ.

St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was ready to die because shortly before his death he saw “an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand” (Acts 7:56).

Death is knocking at the door. Jesus also stands at the door of our lives and knocks (Rv 3:20). If we open the door, see Jesus, and give our lives to Him, we are ready to die and to live.

Jesus promised: “Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). To see Jesus is not a matter of the eyes but of the heart (see Eph 1:18). When we see Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and God, then we have a new life, a life stronger than death (see Mt 16:25).

Prayer:  Father, enlighten “the eyes of [my] heart” (Eph 1:18, RSV-CE).

Promise:  “When they hand you over, do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it. When the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. You yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.” —Mt 10:19-20

Praise:  St. Benedict worked miracles, prophesied, and wrote a rule of monastic life which has been followed by monks for centuries.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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