Living Is Dying

Living is dying because death is an inevitable part of life. And every second we live is a second closer to dying. But this isn’t a loss. No, it’s quite the opposite. We have been given time to be here and knowing it doesn’t last forever should remind us our life has meaning and that time has value. It’s a call for us to make the most of our time and not waste it. 

There’s a church in Rome called Santa Maria Immacolata that’s decorated with the bones of 4,000 Capuchin friars. The crypt of the church welcomes visitors with the phrase “What you are now we once were; what we are now you soon will be.” Read that again slowly and think about it being said to you by the souls of 4,000 Capuchin friars. It’s a haunting phrase to read as you enter a small crypt filled with skulls. But it acts as a physical embodiment of Memento Mori.

Memento Mori is a concept that originated from stoic philosophy that means “remember you will die.” Historically, people have used the practice of intentionally remembering that their death is inevitable as a way to live better lives.

In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius writes “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” That short excerpt encapsulates this perspective on life and death so well. Because we know we will die but don’t know when, let us live well now. 

Unfortunately, something that I think is easy to do after meditating on this perspective of life and death is to forget about it. As soon as you close the book or shut the laptop, you’re suddenly back in the real world with all the troubles that come with it. But I’d like to challenge you to set aside time to intentionally think about the inevitability of your own death and reflect on ways you feel convicted to change in light of death. Maybe consider incorporating reminders of death and Memento Mori into your daily life that prompt that intentional thinking. For me, I often have a Memento Mori background on my phone. However you do it, be intentional with it. 

Again, living is dying because death is an inevitable part of life. And every second we live is a second closer to dying. But this isn’t a loss. No, it’s quite the opposite. We have been given time to be here and knowing it doesn’t last forever should remind us our life has meaning and that time has value. It’s a call for us to make the most of our time and not waste it.