Someone once asked me a random question: Father, do you pray for a good death? I was surprised to hear that question, but I was even more surprised when I realized that I don’t pray for that at all. Maybe because I think that the time of my death is so distant, that I have so much time to prepare myself for it. But do I? How often do you pray for a good death? And what it does even mean -- a good death? When I think about that, I imagine that a ‘good death’ for me would be when I, my soul, will be ready to meet the Lord. I think that would be the greatest blessing, being able to say: I am ready. And as a priest I do meet those who are about to leave this world. It is common to hear from them: Father, I am ready. Such a blessing and joy. Today, when I hear the words of the prophet Simeon, I am reminded to pray for a good death. “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.”
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