Death - absent Christ - is soul-sucking. In November, when we pray in an intensified way for those who have died, we find an opportunity to be reminded that death will someday come for us too, and the Christ to Whom we commend our beloved dead can help us find meaning in our eventual death and properly prepare for it. In fact, because of Christ, death is God’s gift. Rather than a drop into the abyss of nothingness, death is an exit to communion with God. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better (Philippians 1:21-23).
Prayer for a Good Death
O Jesus, while I remember your dying breath, I beg you to receive mine. Since I do not know whether I shall have command of my senses when I depart from this world, I offer you now my last sufferings and all the sorrows of my passing. I give my soul into your hands for you are the Lover of Humanity my Lord and my Savior. Grant that the last beat of my heart may be an act of perfect love for you. Amen.
A Prayer for Those Who Have Died
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
David J. Conrad
Prayer for a Good Death
O Jesus, while I remember your dying breath, I beg you to receive mine. Since I do not know whether I shall have command of my senses when I depart from this world, I offer you now my last sufferings and all the sorrows of my passing. I give my soul into your hands for you are the Lover of Humanity my Lord and my Savior. Grant that the last beat of my heart may be an act of perfect love for you. Amen.
A Prayer for Those Who Have Died
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
David J. Conrad
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