Last Words: Final Thoughts of Catholic Saints and Sinners (Paperback) by Paul Thigpen. 9780867167245
Thigpen, an editor and journalist, has gathered hundreds of “last” or nearly last utterances attributed to individuals from the time of Jesus to the twenty-first century representing every walk of life. No one would argue that this is a book to be sampled, but it is much more than that. Thigpen offers a coherent resource that gives even the casual browser something to think about. Each of the 19 thematic chapters opens with a quotation from scripture and brief introduction. All “last words” quotations contain a brief statement identifying the person and circumstances.
The chapter entitled “No One Will Take Your Joy” quotes John 16:22 and begins with a little history of St. Thomas More, “a first-class joker,” who carried his sense of humor to the gallows. Thigpen notes that “a finely tuned sense of humor is often the distinguishing mark of clear vision.” Taking the will of God seriously, he suggests, allows us to take everything else, even death, lightly. In addition to humor, Thigpen addresses such topics as wisdom, detachment, forgiveness, and concern for those left behind.
This work could easily be adapted for use by faith-sharing groups. Members might select a topic, and, after reading the chapter, reflect on the theme and discuss quotations that were meaningful to them and the insights they gained.