Momento Mori
Memento mori. Latin for “remember (that you have) to die.” (N. D. Wikipedia)
Accountants in antiquity actually used to write this in their books. I think it’s a fitting parallel that Jesus’s words “it is finished” on the cross were actually accounting terms as well; meaning the balance is paid in full. (Christian Learning, 2024). See the link referenced below for a full explanation.
There’s a lyric in the song “Chandelier” by an artist called Sia that said “ I’m going to live like tomorrow doesn’t exist” and frankly I think we need to as well (granted not choosing the same response and actions described in the rest of the song).
In light of this, how’re you REALLY living? Are we honestly following these principles outlined in the versus below, or so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget the love is the greatest force in the universe; the very reason for Christ’s actions and the very litmus test of our walks? Love other in a way they can understand, if it’s just listening, showing up with a text or reaching out. Not putting the fact that relationships are at the center of what this is all about. Our relationship with God and others. We are not promised our next breath let alone tomorrow. What we choose to do today and how we choose to act is what will be separated as the wheat from the chaff. Every single person you encounter each day is your neighbor. Every. Single. Person. Use your talents to reach others. It is the greatest act of kindness you can show them.
We only know a 10th- if that- of what anyone is going through, so love them and meet them where they are at because the chance may never come again. That is how you open a dialogue to the gospel. One of my favorite quotes regarding this is: “people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”
Here are a few verses to back this up.
1 John 4:7-8 AMP
“Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]”
Matthew 6:25-26, 28-31, 33 AMP
““Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? [Luke 12:22-31] Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed]nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops]into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. [1 Kin 10:4-7] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
Matthew 22:39 AMP
“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ [Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19]”
James 4:13-17 AMP
“Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” But as it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.”
Proverbs 3:27-30 AMP
“¶Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients], When it is in your power to do it. [Rom 13:7; Gal 6:10] Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. [Lev 19:13; Deut 24:15] Do not devise evil against your neighbor, Who lives securely beside you. Do not quarrel with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. [Rom 12:18]”
John 13:34-35 AMP
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.””
Psalms 90:12 AMP
“So teach us to number our days, That we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 AMP
“And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.”
References:
“Momento Mori” N. D. Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori
“The Significance Behind Jesus’ last Words It is Finished” Christa. June 7, 2024. Christian Learning. https://www.christianlearning.com/jesus-last-words-it-is-finished/