The topic of death. - Question

[xcbyers]

Hey all, I was hoping to receive some feedback.

The quick synopsis is: I’m in my late 20’s and I went through RCIA a year ago, but ever since I’ve had a rather dry spiritual life. (I know Patrick Madrid wrote a book on that topic) I have had some doubts during this period and am deeply concerned of death and the afterlife. The thought of eternal life is comforting, the thought of nothingness paralyzes me with fear.

What can I do to help myself during this to reaffirm my faith while being intellectually honest with myself that I’m not only doing this to ease my fear? Has anyone experienced anything like this before?

I have been praying (Currently the Act of Hope) but I’m continuing to struggle. I want to have a stronger relationship and rock solid faith that I see others have, but I stumble.

 

[Spyridon]

For me whenever I have those thoughts, I simply remind myself that I am alive and conscious right now - against all odds. None of us should exist right now, even the Universe should not exist. There SHOULD be nothing. Yet here we are.

The chances of me being conscious and alive right now are absolutely astronomically exponentially unlikely. There is absolutely no way any of us should be conscious right now. It’s, to me anyways, absolute proof that God exists.

And if God exists, IMO the God of Abraham makes the most sense.

And if the God of Abraham exists, Christianity is the religion that makes the most sense.

And if Christ is God, the Catholic Church makes the most sense.

And if the Catholic Church is True, then the afterlife is as sure a thing as this current life, and we should take St. Pope John Paul the Great at his word and not be afraid.

 

[TINYAD]

I understand death as the departation of soul from the body. Unless a person is clear about the themes of soul and body as separate entities created by God one cannot appreciate the statement.
The body become lifeless without soul.
If you read Psalms there are a lot of verses which bring in the insights about soul.
Knowing that Jesus too had read the Psalms , one shall reflect and imbibe the understanding of the soul to the extent that one begin to feel the presence of this ABSTRACT thing with oneself. Can we call it a THING anymore?
Body decays after death, whereas the SOUL continues. One cannot help it. The designeer God has done that way. the soul is not kept frozen fro the judgment day. But live.
And at judgment day, the body reunites with the soul. Again respect the designer, the God.

 

[Kei]

Get in the state of Grace, and pray.
The Resurrection is our basis of hope. If the Resurrection is true, then that means the teachings of Jesus are true, and by extension the teachings of the Church.

 

[JoeFreedom]

That’s a very similar approach I take. There is really only two choices when it comes down to it. Nothing created something and we all evolved to be functioning humans with consciousness, or there is an almighty God who is the Cause of everything, and is Existence itself.

I remind myself that nothing creating something is a very silly and illogical notion, as much as the scientists want to try and push that it is possible, simple logic prevails that nothing cannot create something, so I know there must be God.

That helps me realize and understand that when my faith starts to shake and my brain starts asking tons of questions, I know that I can rest in comfort that although I may not have scientific proof, reasoning prevails and it all makes sense. Even when I don’t emotionally feel connected.

 

[Spyridon]

I remind myself that nothing creating something is a very silly and illogical notion, as much as the scientists want to try and push that it is possible, simple logic prevails that nothing cannot create something, so I know there must be God.

There’s no reason to pit science against religion, it’s a false dichotomy.

Religion correctly understood and science correctly practiced go hand in hand with each other and complement each other. The Catholic Church is the Organ by which God vouchsafed Science to the World to begin with.

 

[xcbyers]

I have a very easy time agreeing to a theistic creator.
That makes sense to me.

I think my struggles with doubt must stem from fear that there may or may not be something after death and the idea “everything just goes black”. I just struggle with philosophical proof that there must be an afterlife.

I do believe in a historical Christ. And I’ve read pieces like CS Lewis’s Trilemma. I just need something to help bridge the gap further.

 

[Crocus]

“Jesus loves you so-o-o-o much.”
Words my priest says together with the blessing at the end of mass.

This priest, who represents Christ, has a special charism (gift) for evangelizing children. I often feel my whole body relax and held in the love of God, just by hearing those words, or repeating them to myself.

Jesus said “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3.

I don’t know if this makes sense to you, but for me it’s as simple as allowing Jesus do what he does best: love us with his whole heart and soul.

That love causes me to look forward to the day I see him in heaven. Be not afraid. (JPII)

 

[Edward_H]

God uses everything He can to draw us closer to Himself, including our death, thoughts about our death.

So rejoice! Christ is passing by.

He doesn’t want you to worry or be fearful, He wants you to rest in His Fatherly care of you.

It’s not morbid to occasionally think about our end…where are we heading…

A good retreat will have a preached meditation on the “4 Last Things”: Death, judgment, heaven, hell.

The best thing you can do is to draw closer to Him, through an abandoning reception of Confession and Holy Communion. Like a child we go to the Father’s house.

Then renewed and strengthened by the Sacraments…we develop slowly, calmly, child-like a more lively interior life with God, referring more and more matters to Him, trusting Him, handing Him things!, offerings.

Lord today I am offering you my doubt…it’s getting in the way of a closer intimacy with You. Please take it.
Lord today I am offering you my work, well done, as an act of love for you. Please accept it like a little son giving His father a tie at Christmas time! Please use it for what You want.
Lord today I am offering you my fear…it’s distancing me from you and from others you’ve placed near me. Don’t let me have it back.

Offer him everything…your thoughts, works, joys, troubles, setbacks, doubts…tiredness, irritability. He wants it all.

Be a good child of God, trusting, abandoning, working for Him.

And always stay close to Him in the Sacraments. Get a spiritual director who will patiently and slowly help you give more to God.

We stumble…we begin again. and again.

They say that the Interior Life is one of always beginning again until we die.

In fact, we ought to get very practiced at “beginning again”! The sooner, the more, the better.

Be at great peace that God loves you as a Father loves His son.

Every day tell Him…“Thank You, I’m sorry, Help me more.”

 

[xcbyers]

I appreciate the responses from everyone. Thank you.