The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 7

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life — things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death — the death of people you love and your own death.

 

The topic that we discuss in this podcast is very appropriate in light of the sudden and unexpected death of the legendary singer and songwriter known as Prince. He was found dead in an elevator on his property this morning. Just seven days ago, he was performing in Atlanta. His passing reminds us that death often comes suddenly, and comes for us all.

 

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:2: “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”

 

The featured quote for this episode is from John Donne. He said, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, the continent is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

 

Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 7" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.

 

--- The Christian Art of Dying

 

Christians throughout history have attempted to practice their deaths in a way that reflects their faith. "The dying person in the Christian tradition is invited to immerse—as she or he did in baptism—a human story in a divine story, the Christian's dying in the paschal mystery of Christ's death and resurrection," says Donald Heinz. The practice began with Christ's first followers, was emphasized by the martyrs, ritualized by the monastics and popularized by the ars moriendi. The tradition of the art of dying continued in various forms until the end of the nineteenth century. By that time a set of beliefs about the art of dying held true throughout Christianity.

 

The Christian art of dying is not a denial of the awfulness of death. In fact, Christians recognize, as Paul did, that death is the last enemy. The Christian tradition of ars moriendi recognized that horror and provided the tools that can help to guide believers through their last hours. The Christian death is an embodiment of a belief in a God who has defeated death and will give life to our own mortal bodies. As we care for the dying and make choices about our own last days, we stand positioned to regain a deeper understanding of this eternal triumph and the hope of Christ's resurrection.

 

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