PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD. November is the Month of All Souls, but the first part of Advent also highlights human mortality and death. While the focus of LATE Advent, December 17-24, is our Lord’s FIRST Coming, at Christmas … the weeks of ‘early’ Advent emphasize our need to be ready to meet Christ at His SECOND Coming or Return in Glory … to prepare for the end of ALL time or at the end of our own time on earth – whichever comes first!
All are not granted sufficient time to prepare to ‘meet their Maker.’ In last week’s bulletin article, I reflected on the Collect used at funerals for those who die young – and on 10/17/2021, on the one used for those who died suddenly. Today, I reflect on the Collect used at funerals of those who had many months, years or even decades to prepare for death, from Masses for the Dead: #8: ‘For One Who Suffered a Long Illness.’ Pray it, then read my thoughts about such sad situations.
Collect – Masses for the Dead: #8 For One Who Suffered a Long Illness O God, who called your servant N. to serve you in affliction and sickness, grant, we pray, that he/she, who followed your Son’s example of suffering,
may also receive the reward of his glory. Who lives and reigns … for ever and ever. Amen.
Today’s Scriptures offer us great hope! Our First Reading [Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11] promises us God’s gentle embrace, comfort, and tender, consoling words. In our Second Reading, our first Pope assures us that God can use even life’s misfortunes to draw us closer to Himself. [2 Peter 3:8-14] And in the Gospel, Saint John the Baptist assures us that a mighty Savior is coming to help us. However, when a debilitating or slowly progressing illness strikes, the faithful can be derailed, deluged by doubts, and drawn to despair. Even Jesus, while on the Cross, asked, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34]
“…WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED…” These words come from an Apostle’s Letter: “Consider it all joy … when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” [James 1:3-4] In His Beatitudes, Jesus proclaimed “Blessed” all who suffer because of their faith, which often happens to those who
trust in God’s love, even while enduring pain or sickness. [Cf. Matthew 5:10-12] This stark reality is not only true for those who are sick and dying; it is also true for their caregivers and loved ones, who also suffer, and the health care professionals who face frustration as their best efforts fail.
It is heart-wrenching to hear the sick confess that they want to die rather than be a burden to others. It is equally sad to hear others confess that they are praying for their sick loved one to die, which may not be sinful but an act of faith. Often, at funerals for those who suffered a long illness, I am aware that some mourners have a sense of relief that the ordeal is over … and a hefty sense of guilt that they could have done more, been more patient, or not prayed that it would be over. These natural feelings need the supernatural grace which God and His Church can provide to those open to divine forgiveness, understanding and wisdom. And a source of this heavenly help is the Catholic Church’s Funeral Rites.
Very few bravely stood at the foot of the Cross: our Blessed Mother, the Beloved Disciple, whom we presume was the Apostle John, and a few female disciples. Yet the Risen Lord forgave the other Apostles, who had abandoned Him in His time of need. We pray that our deceased loved ones, whom we may have disappointed, also forgive us. And we trust that our Blessed Mother and all the Angels and Saints always accompany all of us, at all times, especially when we are suffering in sickness or pain – and are dying.
OUR FINAL REWARD. As the last line of this oration requests, we pray that those who accept suffering as Christ did, with patient trust, will also share in ‘the reward of his glory.’ We also pray that those who journeyed with them through the dark valley of death will also share in the reward promised to those who follow Christ’s example on suffering and acceptance. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS