A few weeks ago, as I was walking the mountain paths of Park City, Utah, with the colored foliage under my feet, the canopy of autumn hues overhead, the rays of sunshine enlightening my path, I pondered the journey we will all make one day to meet our creator.
I imagined this path like the road that leads to heaven, offering an opportunity to reflect upon life and letting go of life’s burdens that bog us down. At times, I could not tell where the path led, but I knew it would end well. God’s relationship with us changes like the seasons as we grow in life, as we see things differently at every stage.
When someone is on the journey toward death, a call is often made to the parish house beckoning a priest to visit with the oils to help the individual on this path, comforting them with the anointing of the sick, or as many still ask for, “last rites.” These calls rarely come at a convenient time, but every effort is made to pay a visit, comforting not only the individual on the journey but their loved ones and friends surrounding them.
The prayers, the oil, the laying on of hands, all bring comfort to the dying and for their loved ones, hope for peace and healing. During the actual anointing, one can see a change in the person being anointed. A sense of peace comes over them as their breathing calms and words are mumbled with familiar prayers. The hearing of the prayers never fails, and the feel of the laying on of hands and the anointing oil offer assurance that the individual is not alone. When anointing prayers are said, one can sense the room filling with spiritual beings who pray alongside and carry those prayers to the Father. Even if one is not dying, the anointing of the sick offers a sense of peace, calm and healing. Tears fill the eyes of those present, as a weight is lifted from the room. Sometimes even a smile appears on the face of the one anointed.
The process of dying is not easy for anyone. Many services are offered for the individual and the family when the time comes. Hospice and comfort care is a growing and compassionate ministry that is offered to ease the journey for all involved. Pastoral ministers in parishes serve a grand role, having known the person dying personally for a time and journeying with them in prayer. Pre-planning your funeral is a great gift to leave your family members or those you want to know your wishes. One should not be afraid to talk about this and to have a plan. Ministering to the dying takes on many forms and each is as important as the other.
Every day is a gift, and we never know the day or the hour, but life is to be lived in a way that is pleasing to God. As we minister to the dying, we minister to ourselves. Death is a guarantee in life and how we approach it will influence our dying process. Helping others on the journey challenges our faith when the time is too soon, too long, too painful, or too fearful. Again, none of us know when we will be called home but, in the meantime, let us offer encouragement to others in their time that it is OK to go, and encourage them, “when you see Jesus, run to him!”
Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace! May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace! Así sea!
Bishop-elect Kenney’s ordination is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. All the faithful are invited.
