Days End 

   As the day draws to a close it’s good to look back and recall the ups and downs of the day from both the earthly and spiritual point of view.  When we revisit the day, we find many things that have simply gone by without notice, the many blessings of the day, the unconscious and unintended failures to follow God’s will in our life.

   Did we rush through the day not noticing the beauty of God’s creation?  Did we take the time to see the beauty of this world?  It’s amazing how each sunrise is different, never quite the same.   Listen to the birds waking up, singing to greet the day.  Did we take notice of all the wonders of God’s universe or remain wrapped up in our own little world?

   We are called to love our neighbor.  Did we do so in our actions and attitudes this day?  Did we give Him thanks for the love and fellowship of friends and family?  Did we reach out to someone who might have just needed a smile and pleasant word or did we never take the time to even notice those around us?

   We are called to love God.  Did we go to Mass or at least spend some time in prayer?  We spend so much of the day worrying about and taking care of earthly matters but taking little if any time to thank God for all He’s done for us.  A few minutes each day sitting quietly with our Lord, communing with Him, and just placing ourselves in His presence can add so much joy and peace to the day.

   The days come and the days go, but we rarely consider that each could be our last.  When that day comes, as it must, will we be able to look back over the days of our life, confident that we have loved God and neighbor?  Have we tried to live for Him or for our own selfish desires?  Have we lived a life that will let Christ say to us, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt 25: 34)