Every so often, I meet a person who is ready to leave this world. It usually happens when I visit an older person with Holy Communion or with the sacrament of anointing. The person tells me -- I am ready to go, I had a great long life, I tried to be good to others and to our Lord, and whatever wrong I have done, I always asked for forgiveness. I never lost my faith and Jesus is always with me. There is not much more I can do in this world, so I am peacefully waiting for the Lord to call me back, call me home. To be able to have so much faith and peace in the last moments of life is truly a blessing. I am not sure I would be able to be that peaceful and keep faith till the end, but I hope so. Today, when we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we hear Simeon saying one of the most beautiful prayers: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” I think that we all need to pray and ask God to prepare us for that last moment of our life here, so we can repeat after Simeon -- now, Master, let me go in peace.
