Biblical readings for the dying

I work in long term care. My patients leave this world. Often when it is time I sit down and read the Bible with them. I did this last month with one of my favourite patients. He's still with us and he told me after how relaxed he was when I read to him. He told me I should read the bible in church. Said I am good at reading the bible. That when I read to him it really spoke to him.

These are the passages I use. I'm writing it down so the next time I'm at work and want to know I can just google my blog and find them. lol.

Isiah 35: 3-4, 6c-7, 1o:1
Job 19:23-27a
Psalm 23
Psalm 25:1, 5-11
Psalm 91
Psalm 114
Psalm 116: 3-5
Psalm 121:1-4
Psalm 123
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 John 4:16
Revelations 21:1-51, 6-7
Matthew 25:1-13
Mark 15:33-37
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 22:39-46
Luke 22:42-43
Luke 24:1-8
John 6:37-40
John 14:1-6, 23,27

I commend you, my dear brother (sister), to almighty God
and entrust you to your Creator.
May you return to him
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
may Christ, who was crucified for you,
bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ, who died for you,
admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of his flock.
May he forgive all your sins
and set you among those he has chosen.
May you see your Redeemer face to face
and enjoy the vision of God forever.
Amen.

Likes and Dislikes

In the Gospel the Lord showed me clearly what his new commandment demands. I read in St. Matthew: "You have heard it said that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy; but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

We all have our natural likes and dislikes. We may feel more drawn to one person and may be tempted to go a long way around to avoid meeting another. Well, the Lord tells me that the latter is the one I must love and pray for, even though the manner shown me leads me to believe that the person does not care for me. "If you love those that love you, what thanks are due to you? For sinners also love those who love them" (Luke 6:32)

Nor is it enough to love. We must prove our love. We rake a natural delight inpleasing friends, but that is not love, even sinners do the same.

-ST. Therese of Lisieux

Prayer of Abandonment

FAther,
I abandon myself into your hands,
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands, I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart;
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself:
to surrender myself into your hands
without reserve and with boundless confidence;
for you are my father.

Charles De Foucauld

Planning my funereal

Maybe it's because I work in long term care and see so many people die. Maybe it's because I want to control everything to the very end. Whatever the reason I've picked out the hymns and verses to be read at my funereal. I found a really cool website that you clicked on what you want and at the end it prints it out for you. I copied down all the hymns and passages and then found out which ones I wanted at my funeral.

I do not want amazing grace.
I do not want the 23 Psalm.

I have made that very clear to my husband. I just feel they are over-used.

I had a hard time picking an old testament reading. There were so many good ones to choose.

And I left instructions for the priest to do all the talking. I don't want family members up in the church saying stuff.

The one hymn I knew for sure before I started all this was that when I leave the church they will play Ave Maria. It's my favourite. I saw a bunch of priests singing it on EWTN last month and it made me cry. It's such a beautiful song and they did a great job singing it.