What is your attitude to death?

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“From a sudden and unforseen death, deliver us, O Lord.”

I highly recommend Peter Kreeft’s book Love is Stronger than Death. In it, he reflects on Death as Enemy, Stranger, Friend, Mother, and Lover. It’s a very interesting read.

I really like the section in the Catechism on the meaning of a Christian death ( CCC 1010-1014). There are some beautiful quotes from the saints:

The meaning of Christian death

1010 Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” [576] "The saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him. [577] What is essentially new about Christian death is this: through Baptism, the Christian has already “died with Christ” sacramentally, in order to live a new life; and if we die in Christ’s grace, physical death completes this “dying with Christ” and so completes our incorporation into him in his redeeming act:

It is better for me to die in (eis) Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him it is I seek - who died for us. Him it is I desire - who rose for us. I am on the point of giving birth. . . . Let me receive pure light; when I shall have arrived there, then shall I be a man. [578]

1011 In death, God calls man to himself. Therefore the Christian can experience a desire for death like St. Paul’s: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ.” [579] He can transform his own death into an act of obedience and love towards the Father, after the example of Christ: [580]

My earthly desire has been crucified; . . . there is living water in me, water that murmurs and says within me: Come to the Father. [581]

I want to see God and, in order to see him, I must die. [582]

I am not dying; I am entering life. [583]

1012 The Christian vision of death receives privileged expression in the liturgy of the Church: [584]

Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven. [585]

1013 Death is the end of man’s earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers him so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny. When “the single course of our earthly life” is completed, [586] we shall not return to other earthly lives: “It is appointed for men to die once.” [587] There is no “reincarnation” after death.

1014 The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death. In the ancient litany of the saints, for instance, she has us pray: “From a sudden and unforeseen death, deliver us, O Lord”; [588] to ask the Mother of God to intercede for us “at the hour of our death” in the Hail Mary; and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death.

Every action of yours, every thought, should be those of one who expects to die before the day is out. Death would have no great terrors for you if you had a quiet conscience. . . . Then why not keep clear of sin instead of running away from death? If you aren’t fit to face death today, it’s very unlikely you will be tomorrow. . . . [589]

Praised are you, my Lord, for our sister bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe on those who will die in mortal sin!
Blessed are they who will be found
in your most holy will,
for the second death will not harm them. [590]

[576] Phil 1:21.
[577] 2 Tim 2:11.
[578] St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Rom.,6,1-2:Apostolic Fathers,II/2,217-220.
[579] Phil 1:23.
[580] Cf. Lk 23:46.
[581] St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Rom.,6,1-2:Apostolic Fathers,II/2,223-224.
[582] St. Teresa of Avila, Life, chap. 1.
[583] St. Therese of Lisieux, The Last Conversations.
[584] Cf. 1 Thess 4:13-14.
[585] Roman Missal, Preface of Christian Death I.
[586] LG 48 § 3.
[587] Heb 9:27.
[588] Roman Missal, Litany of the Saints.
[589] The Imitation of Christ,1,23,1.
[590] St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures.​
 
People who have had near death experiences claim there is a “life review”.

Not looking forward to that part!
 
Personally, i cant wait…but St Cyprian of Carthage says it best…

Death Welcome to the Christian
Cyprian of Carthage

We ought to remember that we should do not our own will, but God’s, in accordance with what our Lord has bidden us daily to pray. How preposterous and absurd it is, that while we ask that the will of God should be done, yet when God calls and summons us from this world, we should not at once obey the command of His will! We struggle and resist, and after the manner of froward servants we are dragged to the presence of the Lord with sadness and grief, departing hence under the bondage of necessity, not with the obedience of free will; and we wish to be honoured with heavenly rewards by Him to whom we come unwillingly. Why, then, do we pray and ask that the kingdom of heaven may come, if the captivity of earth delights us? Why with frequently repeated prayers do we entreat and beg that the day of His kingdom may hasten, if our greater desires and stronger wishes are to obey the devil here, rather than to reign with Christ? . . . .

Finally, the Apostle Paul reproaches, and rebukes, and blames any who are in sorrow at the departure of their friends. “I would not,” says he, have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which are asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." He says that those have sorrow in the departure of their friends who have no hope. But we who live in hope, and believe in God, and trust that Christ suffered for us and rose again, abiding in Christ, and through Him and in Him rising again, why either are we ourselves unwilling to depart hence from this life, or do we bewail and grieve for our friends when they depart as if they were lost, when Christ Himself, our Lord and God, encourages us and says, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he die, yet shall live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall not die eternally?” If we believe in Christ, let us have faith in His words and promises; and since we shall not die eternally, let us come with a glad security unto Christ, with whom we are both to conquer and to reign for ever.

That in the meantime we die, we are passing over to immortality by death; nor can eternal life follow, unless it should befall us to depart from this life. That is not an ending, but a transit, and, this journey of time being traversed, a passage to eternity. Who would not hasten to better things? Who would not crave to be changed and renewed into the likeness of Christ, and to arrive more quickly to the dignity of heavenly glory, since Paul the apostle announces and says, “For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change the body of our humiliation, and conform it to the body of His glory?” Christ the Lord also promises that we shall be such, when, that we may be with Him, and that we may live with Him in eternal mansions, and may rejoice in heavenly kingdoms, He prays the Father for us, saying, “Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me be with me where I am, and may see the glory which Thou hast given me before the world was made.” He who is to attain to the throne of Christ, to the glory of the heavenly kingdoms, ought not to mourn nor lament, but rather, in accordance with the Lord’s promise, in accordance with his faith in the truth, to rejoice in this his departure and translation.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/deathb1.htm

God Bless
 
yes I have some fear if I think about it, but we all have to die sometime, and since we never know when we have to be ready.
 
Trevor_Stamm said:
I’m with St. Paul on this 👍
I’m with St. Paul on this 👍

Phil 1:21-24 (Douay Rheims)

21 For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.
22 And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.
23 But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.
24 But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.
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Thank you for that inspiring quotation!
 
I used to be eager to die so I could go to heaven… these days I would like to live as long as I can so I can do as much as I can to serve our Lord in this life.
 
tonyrey said:
Welcome to the forum! 🙂

I’m interested to know your thoughts and feelings on the subject.
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Well I certainly have imperfect contrition because I am scared to death of Hell. (as it were ,lol) I am working on perfect contrition, but that could take a long time. I was confirmed into the church as an adult, and in RCIA, the priest spoke of “our unknown destiny” with regard to the last four things.That really freaked me out because my former protestant upbringing had taught predestination. (once saved always saved) For now, HOPE is what we all have and I make good use of it. Praying the rosary daily helps too. 🙂
 
I really like this post it is doing me a lot of good. I am scared of death. I know my fears are unfounded and I am working on it by reading spiritual writings on abondonement to divine providence and the like. The reason for my fears is because I know that anytime God may choose to bring me death. I do not so much fear the death itself, I fear leaving my little children behind since humanly reasoning they will likely suffer without my support during their tender age. I am also supporting two orphans, so I kind of feel like how it could be like my kids to be without parents either one or both. I want to do all things possible to get rid of this kind of fear because I am sure it is keeping me from appreciating the value of my christian death and to prepare well for it… I have said many prayers to prepare me for the final hours and days, and am hoping for the best. I even consecrated my last two hours to the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that her presence will drive away the devil during that important time, and I have also told my husband and near relatives to call only a catholic priest if they think I am dying. Half of my close relatives are protestants including my husband 😊

I think I am too concerned about teaching my kids about the faith and seeing them professing it, that I wish I will be around longer for their sake. And I am aware that God does not need me to raise my kids as catholics even amidst my confused world. God does not necessarily need me to provide for my little ones during my absence on earth… I am too attached to my world, right? Please pray for me, I am sincerely working on getting rid of these fears with God’s help.
 
ImmaBV said:
I really like this post it is doing me a lot of good. I am scared of death. I know my fears are unfounded and I am working on it by reading spiritual writings on abandonment to divine providence and the like. The reason for my fears is because I know that anytime God may choose to bring me death. I do not so much fear the death itself, I fear leaving my little children behind since humanly reasoning they will likely suffer without my support during their tender age. I am also supporting two orphans, so I kind of feel like how it could be like my kids to be without parents either one or both. I want to do all things possible to get rid of this kind of fear because I am sure it is keeping me from appreciating the value of my christian death and to prepare well for it… I have said many prayers to prepare me for the final hours and days, and am hoping for the best. I even consecrated my last two hours to the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that her presence will drive away the devil during that important time, and I have also told my husband and near relatives to call only a catholic priest if they think I am dying. Half of my close relatives are protestants including my husband 😊

I think I am too concerned about teaching my kids about the faith and seeing them professing it, that I wish I will be around longer for their sake. And I am aware that God does not need me to raise my kids as catholics even amidst my confused world. God does not necessarily need me to provide for my little ones during my absence on earth… I am too attached to my world, right? Please pray for me, I am sincerely working on getting rid of these fears with God’s help.
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Your concerns are understandable, Imma, but improbable! If you are in good health there is no reason why you should be struck down suddenly. Love for others always makes us more vulnerable because we are concerned about them as well as ourselves.
The solution is to trust in God’s love for us:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:25-34).
 
FooFee said:
Well I certainly have imperfect contrition because I am scared to death of Hell. (as it were ,lol) I am working on perfect contrition, but that could take a long time. I was confirmed into the church as an adult, and in RCIA, the priest spoke of “our unknown destiny” with regard to the last four things.That really freaked me out because my former protestant upbringing had taught predestination. (once saved always saved) For now, HOPE is what we all have and I make good use of it. Praying the rosary daily helps too. 🙂
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Predestination is a fact of life! We alone are the ones who determine our destination… Hell is not a trap but a choice… 😉
 
nickybr38 said:
I used to be eager to die so I could go to heaven… these days I would like to live as long as I can so I can do as much as I can to serve our Lord in this life.
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Nicky, your positive attitude to both life and death is refreshing and inspiring! 👍
 
How peaceful it is to trust God completely no matter what. His will, not ours, be done. Thanks tonyrey, I agree compeletely. I do not want to give the devil the joy of holding me in his vile bondage of fear, even that of death.

I am amazed that saints such as Little Therese longed for death so much, we must learn from them, even if we can only do that little by little. But speaking about saints such as little Therese, she was a nun, completely detached from the world. I should think that we who are in the world (family people) have more worries to deal with. Of course we must learn to take our worries and troubles to God in prayer and receive His peace. I certainly need to receive His peace again and again and I long for it, to completely conquer every care for the love of God.
 
Life is change.

Death is one more change.

There would be no life without death.

It has been a long time since I discarded my fear of death in and of itself, although I’m well aware there are some nasty ways to go - so of course I want to do my best to avoid those, and help others avoid them as well. But sometimes circumstances dictate otherwise.

Some of those dear to me have died since I have come to accept that there is probably no afterlife. I have had to face up to the fact that I will never see my loved ones again, and that I must cherish their memory and appreciate their lives for what they were. But I take an Epicurean view of death - where I am, death is not; where death is, I am not.

What I think is that when I die, my consciousness will cease, and my body will eventually decay. Sooner or later, the matter of which my body now consists will go to make up other bodies. These bodies will not be me, of course, but that’s not really anything to despair over - this is all part of the cycle of death and renewal, and we are part of that cycle whether we like it - and can accept it - or not.

I do think that considering this life as finite is a great motivation to us to make what we can of it while it lasts. Certainly, fear of death - or at least the process of dying - is perfectly normal and natural and understandable. We naturally dislike pain, and we dislike the idea that we, as we think of ourselves, will at some point cease to exist. I have seen many people claim that life has no meaning if cessation is ultimately all we have to look forward to, but I think this is misguided. To me, ‘meaning’ implies referral to something else, and I would ask what meaning life needs other than just itself. As for purpose, if our purpose is to attain union with God, what purpose remains once we have done that? Do we simply persist in pointless existence once we get to heaven?

What actually matters in all this is that we do exist now, and even if we’re gone and forgotten in the future, that will not - as Greta Christina eloquently writes - change the fact that we did exist, that we did have our lives and our influence upon the world while we lasted. No-one can take that away, ever.
 
Luvtosew said:
yes I have some fear if I think about it, but we all have to die sometime, and since we never know when we have to be ready.
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It is natural to be afraid of death but if we prepare ourselves it loses its sting:

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

👍
 
tonyrey said:
It is natural to be afraid of death but if we prepare ourselves it loses its sting:

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

👍
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Good song. I like that one by Matt Maher. Forgot what it is called, but the chorus keeps rninging in my mind.
 
Grew up on a farm. Never bothered by it.

Work as a nurse. Seen terrible ways to experience death.

But as for myself, I’m not bothered by it, I’d rather not do it any time soon though.

It is a kind of strange sensation though. A few weeks ago at work I watched someone take their last breath. We saw they were going down quickly, and we rushed to get them into a side room - this was at 3 in the morning, and bang on 3am when we were pushign them through the door into the hallway, they took their last. Then it was caring for the body, and taking them down to teh morgue.

I’m not so much bothered by the process, but rather, will the people who are there when I die, care for my body the way I cared for that patient? I know its just a corspe, an empty shell, but some respect must be afforded to it.
 
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