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	IF TODAY WAS YOUR LAST DAY...

The Gospel

MARK 13:24-27

Jesus said, "But in those days ... the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky."

The Media -- "If Today Was Your Last Day" (Nickelback)

"My best friend gave me the best advice; he said each day’s a gift and not a given right; leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind, and try to take the path less traveled by. That first step you take is the longest stride. If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late, could you say goodbye to yesterday? Would you live each moment like your last, leave old pictures in the past? Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day? Against the grain should be a way of life. What's worth the price is always worth the fight. Every second counts 'cause there's no second try. So live like you're never living twice. Don't take the free ride in your own life. Do whatever it takes, ‘cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life. Would you call those friends you never see, reminisce old memories? Would you forgive your enemies if today was your last day."

There are some signs on our major highways that are placed there by Christians who want to make us look seriously at our lives. One of the signs reads "If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity?" It is the same question that Jesus wants to bring to our minds when he talks about the end of the world in the Gospels. It is the same question that the group Nickelback brings to mind in their song "If Today Was Your Last Day."

Jesus answers the question in the Gospels, giving us a pattern of living, and basically saying to us: "Follow these rules, and you will spend eternity with God." The group Nickelback answers it the same way, telling us in insightful words that we must do whatever it takes to improve our lives so that eternal happiness will be ours at the end of our last day.

The statement of Nickelback is one of the most important guides for anyone who wants to develop a deeper spiritual life. If today was your last day, how would you behave? Would you begin to improve your life? Maybe make some amends with some people that you have not treated well? Maybe give some of your wealth to people who really need it more than you do? Maybe begin the process of being a better person according to a pattern that you once said you would follow? Maybe give some thanks to someone who has helped you? Maybe spend some time in meditation about what you have done, giving thanks for the good things, asking pardon for the bad?

Clergyman Henry Van Dyke once wrote that "Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live." Nickelback's song gives us the incentive to begin to live again.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, it is not easy to consider our deaths. But your Son wanted us to think about death in a serious way. At times, our media gives us the opportunity to do the same. Help us improve our lives a little more so that we can spend eternity with you. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We can begin to live again right now.

THE GOSPEL
1. This passage from Mark’s Gospel is both “scary”—in the sense that there will be turmoil--and “consoling”—in the fact that the elect will be rewarded. Which makes more of an impression on human beings and why?
2. The virtue of hope is presented in The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition in numbers 1817-1821. What is your definition of hope?
3. There is hope in the promise of God’s final victory. Do you think that most people are hopeful people?

THE SONG
1. If today was your last day, what would you do?
2. Text analysis: “Each day’s a gift and not a given right.” What is your understanding of the statement?
3. Text analysis: “’Against the grain’ should be a way of life.” What is your understanding of the statement?

THE MEDITATION
1. Does the fact that the end of the world will happen scare you? Why or why not?
2. What improvement is most necessary in our world right now?
3. Name the three most important things that young people must do to improve their personal worlds.
4. Analysis: “Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live.” What is the meaning of the statement?
5. What does the song “If Today Was Your Last Day” teach young people today?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike