Lent JourneySample

DAY 34
Fulfilled

At the end of his life, Jesus says: ‘It is finished.’

He looked back on his life and decided to lay down his life (John 10:18). It is as if this reflection now takes Him to a place of contentment where He can die.

This is significant. Jesus died as He lived – fulfilled.

Through research we know that there are many powerful stories about people who feel they are ready to die, and are not afraid any more. They all had something in common. It was not their faith, age or illness – all felt that they had a good life, that they had truly lived.

Similarly, there are those who are uncertain about the lives they led. At the end they realise that life is over, and that they are afraid and not ready to go.

When I think of my own fear about death, I wonder if it is a fear of death itself, or rather a fear of what I’m going to realise at that moment – that I had not truly lived!

I follow Jesus. As He, I want to really live, thrive and find ways to experience deep meaning in my life.
At the end of my life, I will surely reflect on it. But I can also do it now and as many times as I like in the future. What inspires me to get up in the mornings? What does my day and my life look like? Is it meaningful and do I engage with it deeply?

When my end comes, how will I feel when I look back over my life? Will my words also be ‘it is finished’? Will it be filled with feelings that give me strength at that moment, and help me to die happily?


EXERCISE
You are invited to do a reflection prayer*.
• Ask God to show you what you need to see.
• Recall everything that happened during the day, since you got up in the morning until now.
• Identify the moments for which you are the most grateful.
• Identify what was difficult for you.
• Look at what lies ahead, and ask God for what you need.