Why write about dying on the Feast of Corpus Christi? Each morning I drive by a series of large blackboards that were recently hung on a fence bordering a middle school in my neighborhood. On the top of the blackboards are these words, written in very large print: “Before I die I want to…” There is chalk below the boards, inviting passerby's to fill in the blank. Each day the written responses from the public change. Here are a few…
Before I die I want to…
- Zip line down the Grand Canyon
- Lose 20 pounds.
- Find the meaning of life
You get the idea. I thought it might be interesting to find out what some other famous folks wanted to do before they died. I found that Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bomber) wanted to eat two pints of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Joan of Arc wanted to receive the Eucharist. Jesus Christ wanted to celebrate a last meal with his Apostles, offering himself - his sacred Body and Blood as a sacrifice. Today, as we receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Celebration of the Mass, let us consider his great sacrifice - The Bread of Life hidden beneath the veil, this “Sangue del Signore” (Blood of the Lord) - and how privileged we are as Catholics to receive it. Let us always think about our dying wish - and what our last meal might be... “Before I die I want to…” It’s your turn to fill in the blank.
