‘May We One Day Meet Merrily in Heaven’

“May we one day meet merrily in heaven.” St. Thomas More wrote these words to his family, in particular to his wife, Alice, and his daughter Meg, shortly before his execution, which was ordered by England’s King Henry VIII in 1535. This was a critical communication because Alice and Meg did not fully understand why Thomas would not save his earthly life by taking an oath recognizing the king as head of the Church in England. Thomas wanted to remind them that they would be together again.

We may not understand either. They are only words. Why not just say them and then live what you truly believe? Isn’t it better to live? Thomas would say “no.”

Who we are and what we say are inextricably connected. This is why St. Thomas More’s words to his executioner are so eloquent: “I die the King's good servant and God's first."

May we, when our time comes to depart this earth, be graced to say in truth, “I die…good servant and God’s first.”

Anne Scanlan is a member of the RENEW staff, serves on the Why Catholic? team, and is an exceptional liturgist.