How It Changed the Way I Treat People
Q: What are the Four Last Things in Catholic spirituality?
A:
The Four Last Things are death, judgment, heaven, and hell. These are the final realities each soul must face, and they’ve been a traditional focus for Christian meditation for centuries. Saints like St. Francis de Sales recommended regularly meditating on these truths—not to frighten us, but to help us live with deeper purpose and love.
Q: Why did St. Francis de Sales encourage meditation on death?
A:
Because death is inevitable—but always feels unexpected. St. Francis de Sales believed that reflecting often on the reality of death would help us live better lives: more present, more compassionate, and more forgiving. He wrote that death never seems expected, and that truth has stuck with me.
Q: How has this meditation changed the way you interact with others?
A:
It’s made me realize just how fragile human life really is. I’ve started trying to treat each person as if it could be our last interaction. That doesn’t mean living in fear—it means living with intention.
I ask myself:
- Would I want this to be the last thing I ever said to this person?
- If they—or I—weren’t here tomorrow, would I regret anything left unsaid, or the way I treated them
That perspective makes it much harder to hold grudges or speak harshly. It doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated—but it helps me pause, breathe, and remember what actually matters.
Q: Isn’t that kind of reflection morbid or depressing?
A:
Not at all. In the Catholic tradition, memento mori (“remember you will die”) isn’t meant to drag us into fear—it’s meant to wake us up. It reminds us that life is short, people are precious, and love is urgent.
It’s not about obsessing over death—it’s about choosing compassion today because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Q: How can other men benefit from this practice?
A:
For men especially, it’s easy to get caught up in productivity, control, or pride. But meditating on the Four Last Things cuts through all of that. It brings you face to face with your own limits—and from there, you can start building a life based on what actually endures: love, forgiveness, virtue, and eternal hope.
In my men’s group, these meditations have sparked real conversations—not just about theology, but about how we’re living and who we’re becoming.
Q: What are some simple ways to put this into practice?
A:
Here are a few:
- Start your day with a 2-minute reflection on the Four Last Things.
- Bless people silently, especially those who frustrate you.
- Ask forgiveness quickly—don’t assume there will be another chance.
- Thank people more often—you might not get to tomorrow.
- Treat interruptions as opportunities to love more deeply.
Final Thought:
Life is fragile. People are fragile. And that is exactly why we must love boldly and forgive freely. The Four Last Things are not a threat—they are a call to holiness. A call to live every day as if it really matters—because it does.
Developed with assistance from ChatGPT
Seized by Christ 