Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: death

Too soon

When young and healthy the world is ours, our bodies sleek, or if not at least strong, if not that, we still have years to look forward to, death something far off not to be thought off. Yet the years speed by and soon, too soon, we find ourselves among the middle aged or the… Read More ›

Share

Being with

One of our newest employees, Fiona is her name, has very recently suffered a great tragedy in her family. One of her brothers died recently from drowning. I can’t imagine how horrible it must be to receive that kind of news; it is not something one can prepare themselves for. She is a gentle soul,… Read More ›

Share

21 Regrets people confess on their deathbeds

Some of these seem all too familiar… We’ve all heard the old saying that “People on their deathbeds don’t say, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at work…’” More often, people’s regrets are truly about “what I have done, and what I have failed to do.” A Spanish priest, Father Nelson, has listed the sort… Read More ›

Share

What do I really believe?

“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” – Mother Teresa Many people believe that faith is some form of absolute assurance.  I do not believe that.  From my own limited experience, there will always be room for some doubt.  I think that is healthy… Read More ›

Share

Wrapped in death’s strong bonds

We are still in Easter season and the mystery of Christ Jesus resurrection is still central in the liturgy as well in our private prayer and meditation. I have been spending a lot of time on the ‘Last Discourse’ of Jesus in the Gospel of John as well as the account of the Resurrection. Our… Read More ›

Share

Holy Saturday

This morning I got up at my usual time, made coffee for the retreatants and then did my morning Lectio.  I went up to the abbey church a little early to sit.  The church at this time has no sanctuary light, and the Eucharist is absent. I guess you would have to belong to a Christian… Read More ›

Share

My talk with a Hospice Chaplain

One of our retreatants that are here this week is a Hospice Chaplain and has been so for 13 years. Since I worked with the elderly here and was with many of the monks in their last moments, we had something to talk about. He shared some of his experiences with me about the dying… Read More ›

Share

Going over old times with another old timer

Dr. Manning our primary Doctor here in Conyers (and a very good doctor), after looking at some x-rays of my lower back, placed an order for me to have Physical Therapy (PT). So I went in for my first appointment yesterday. I have been there before, taking other monks in for their PT. It is… Read More ›

Share

Keep death before your eyes every hour

Therefore, brothers, let us strive with all our heart, bearing death before our eyes every hour, and every moment imagining the fearful punishment. But these things the mind comes to perception and the soul is weighed down weeping, but it is also made contemplative and prepared to be turned toward God, undistracted by earthly things…. Read More ›

Share

Rigorous Hospital Study Confirms Awareness After Death

In so many near-death experiences, it seems like all bliss. There are descriptions of the all-embracing, all-loving Light; there is the joy; there are the tremendous vistas of Heaven. And so it is that such exists in the afterlife. God willing, we’ll be releasing a new book from Michael H. Brown on the subject this… Read More ›

Share