“But of that day or hour, no one knows”
Of all the last things we face, let us start with the first thing on the list: death.
What is death? In the simplest of terms, death is “the separation of the soul from the body and the end of earthly life.” [1] The finality of the end of one’s life can terrify a soul.
Why are people afraid of dying? People are afraid of the unknown. Most of us are afraid of taking a risk. We could keep what we have or lose it all.
VIDEO – Deal or No Deal – Riskiest Player
This person on the game show Deal or No Deal had the riskiest decision to make. He could either take the safe path and still win a lot of money, take a risk to win a million dollars, or possibly end up with only $1. We have nothing to fear with our faith.
Why should we as Christians not be afraid of death? As Christians, we have nothing to fear because Jesus conquered death by His own death on the cross. When we unite ourselves to Jesus’ own death we begin to see it as a path towards Him and the entrance to life everlasting. [2] If we are blessed, we will receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on our deathbed, which completes our unity with the death and Resurrection of Christ [3], and have a priest give the last anointing with the beautiful prayer:
“Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
In the name of God the almighty Father,
Who created you,
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,
Who suffered for you,
In the name of the Holy Spirit,
Who was poured out upon you.
Go forth, faithful Christian!
May you live in peace this day,
May your home be with God in Zion,
With Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
With Joseph, and all the angels and saints…
May you return to [your Creator]
Who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life…
May you see your Redeemer face to face…” [4]
[1] Dr. Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary pg. 205
[2] Cf. CCC 1020
[3] Cf. CCC 1523
[4] OCF, Prayer of Commendation.