Carpe Diem - or rather Vitam Vivere

When J. Furniss wrote in his Tracts for Spiritual Reading "Never forget that you must die; that death will come sooner than you expect... God has written the letters of death upon your hands. In the inside of your hands you will see the letters M.M. It means "Memento Mori" - remember you must die." was he just trying to convey a 'spiritual' message?

After all, his book title describes exactly that. Remember we're talking 1884, when the book was first published, and listen to this, it was 'designed for first communion, young kids, retreats, missions, Catholic churches, etc...'

I mean, come on, blasphemy aside, was he trying to inflict 'spiritual torture' on the first communion-ers, or young kids? Is it only when we are reminded by death, that we tend to get closer to God? Out of fear?

As far as I remember from history books, Medieval inquisition took place around 1184 and the Spanish one around 1478, and us, poor heretics need to be reminded every century - I know you're just thinking but the book was published in 1884 - that our life is controlled by God, by fear of death, if you don't believe me, look at the palm of your hands for the letters M.M... hang on a second, in my hands I see the letters V.V., well! ok I admit, I've cheated, you would actually see the Vs when you open your hands for someone facing you to read your palm, isn't that what palm reading is all about?

Well enough from me for now, join me in celebrating life in all its moments, and let's write together a new Tracts for Spiritual Reading that mentions "Never forget that you live; that the gift of life will be with you longer than you expect... God has written the letters of life upon your hands. In the inside of your hands you will see the letters V.V. It means "Vitam Vivere" - live life."

Wouldn't that be a plentiful approach to spirituality?