November 10. SEE.  A priest once shared with a group about his experience with ministering to those approaching death.  Some seem so afraid, some seem to hold back even though their condition is terminal. Nowadays there is discussion about assisted suicide especially when pain becomes too much to bear.  “But,” he said, “I have found that helping people to die in peace may well include healing of relationships, dealing with unfinished business and making things right with family members.  When things have been put right they are ready to go in peace. Families should understand this and speak about death whenever  they can, even with children.” 

JUDGE. Reflect, share, Scripture:  The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died and their departure was thought to be an affliction and their going from us to be their destruction, but they are at peace.  Wisdom 2: 23 -3:9. Pope Francis: If we accept death we can prepare ourselves for it. The way is to grow in our love for those who walk at our side until that day, when death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more. AL258    Pope Leo: Christians see the darkness and acknowledge it for what it is, yet they do not merely gaze upon it passively, for they know the light and understand the darkness. Even when suffering seems to have the last word Christians serve the good and are sustained by hope. MH211

ACT AND PRAY. COMMUNAL PRAYER FOR THE DEAD. 

God, Our Father, we remember in prayer those who have had a special place  in our hearts and in our lives and are now no longer here with us.  We thank you Lord, for the gift of life we have shared together.  We ask forgiveness for the hurts we caused and forgive our loved ones too. Comfort us through the memories they leave us. May those memories give us courage for our journey into the future. Grant them a place of peace and joy in your kingdom where there is no more suffering and grief.  And when each of us is called to depart from this life, may we be reunited with them in eternal happiness.    Amen