Fear of Death
Fear of Death¹
Question
I am afraid of death, even terrified of it. What do you advise me?
Answer:
A person who does not prepare for death is the one who fears it.
But the one who prepares for it through a life of repentance and communion with God does not fear. Rather, he says with Saint Paul the Apostle: “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). Or as Simeon the Elder said: “Now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” (Luke 2:29–30).
The fear of death, in reality, is fear of the unknown.
A—Fear of the nature of death and the feeling of it, and how the soul departs and what accompanies it. All of these matters are unknown to us.
B—Fear of what happens after death, regarding the destiny of a person afterward.
My advice to you is to be continually prepared.
And to read about how the saints departed from the world.
As it is said in the Scripture: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my end be like his!” (Num. 23:10).
And learn about the comforting visions that the righteous used to see during their departure, and some spiritual appearances. And some of them would hear words of consolation or smell the fragrance of incense. And as it is said in the Psalm: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Ps. 116:15).
One of those righteous people I used to hear saying in his prayer:
“Do not take me, O Lord, in an hour of negligence”…
Also read about heaven, the angels, and the heavenly Jerusalem, the dwelling of God with humanity, and about the Kingdom, and about eternal bliss, and the fellowship of the saints…
¹An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Year 19 – Issues 31 & 32 (6–9–1991).
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