Note: When I wrote A Benediction for Mothers a few weeks ago, I mentioned I’ve been experimenting lately with what is a new kind of writing for me. Part poetry, part blessing, part theological reflection, these benedictions have been an enjoyable creative outlet and I would welcome any feedback you have (either in the comments or by messaging me directly). With this benediction, I attempted to write something that could be recited at a bedside or other poignant moment near the end of a person’s life. Let me know if you think it would work for that, or why it might not.
Audio version:
A Benediction for the Dying
Life is full of crossings-
moments when one step further
and we are no longer who we thought we were.
Moments that require all our bravery to face.
And it may seem
like this river you must now traverse
is like that. But it’s not.
Unlike before,
what is asked of you now
is not courage, but surrender.
A surrender not of something,
but into something,
like a river
releasing itself to the Sea.
A surrender born not of defeat,
but of trust, as you begin to understand
what your heart has always known:
that this whole beautiful mess
has been a love story.
Have you not glimpsed,
from time to time,
that invisible thread of grace
weaving everything together?
Or noted the way mercy finds its way
into even the most desperate corner?
And despite life’s hard edges and sure defeats,
would you not still call it
miraculous?
Not that your life has been free of pain,
which you would not have wanted anyway.
Nor free of fear,
though you see now
there was nothing, ultimately,
to be afraid of.
Nor free of struggle,
or confusion,
or loss,
which are more valuable to the shaping of a life
than any blessing ever could be.
But in the end,
has it not been a life of meaning
and beauty,
and something trustworthy?
And if living has been worthy of your faith
why not your dying too?
Are they not doorways inside the same house,
sourced from the same Mystery?
And as you stand at this river’s edge
that so many have crossed before you,
can you not hear that same Mystery
whispering to you now…
You are perfectly safe-
you always were.
You have everything you need-
you always did.
And I am right here beside you-
I always have been.
HI Mona. You made my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me Benediction for the Dying touched you this way. Imagining it being read at your mother's memorial warms my heart. My love and prayers are with you and your mom during these precious days. Soak up every minute. Ian
Dear Ian, I happened upon your Substack this morning while reading others I follow. It was not an accident, I can only believe it was God who “Opened the Gate” to your beautiful words of prose and poetry for me. Your Benediction for Dying has been presented to me at the most perfect time in my mother’s life. You see, she is now walking through life’s other doorway, the doorway to heaven. You ask if I find this useful - yes, most definitively yes - it is a wonderful gift for my mother, and I will read it to her on my next visit. I also plan to read it at her memorial, with your blessing of course (and mentioning you as the author). Because, not only is it a blessing for those dying, but offers us, still living on this beautiful earth of ours, a moment of reflection and wisdom we might carry on our life journey. With heartfelt appreciation, Mona