I think I’ve figured it out.
Praying for one’s own death:
“No, ones own death is not (always) a bad thing to pray for.”
I say qualified because death in and of itself is not a worthwhile goal but what comes with death could be a desirable goal if one is in a state of grace.
If death is understood to to mean an end of pain and suffering, then that is not a bad thing to pray for.
If death is meant as the entrance into eternal life then that would be a good thing to pray for.
If death is meant as the means to see God face to face then that is certainly a good thing to pray for.
St. Paul speaks about the tension between staying in this world and moving on to the next in in Philippians 1:21-24,
“For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, (for) that is far better. Yet that I remain (in) the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.”
One just always needs to remember that we ought to pray that God’s purposes be fulfilled whether by our living or by our dying.
State of Grace
1861 “Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back …”
We receive sanctifying grace (the life of God in our soul) at Baptism. We lose it if we commit a mortal sin, that is, we are no longer in a state of grace. If we have lost the state of grace by mortal sin, we regain it in the sacrament of penance (reconciliation, confession). That is why the Catechism also says:
1415 “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”
Receiving Communion in the state of mortal sin (when we are not in the state of grace) is the sin of sacrilege, which itself is another mortal sin, as described in the Catechism:
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Suicide is murder of the self. It is contrary to the love of God, self, family, friends and neighbors (CCC 2281). It is of especially grave nature, if it is intended to set an example for others to follow. Voluntary cooperation in a suicide is also contrary to the moral law. However, the responsibility of and gravity of suicide can be diminished in the cases of grave psychological disturbances, anguish, grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture. But this does not make it morally permissible, and it is the judgement of God that will measure the gravity or responsibility of the sin.
And as far as the SELFISH WORD GOES…..THE ONE THING THAT IS SELFISH IS FORCING SOMEONE TO LIVE JUST SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO CRY AT A FUNERAL.
1 comment
Perhaps I’m not the best to reply, since I reject Catholic teaching, but praying for one’s own death is certainly not unbiblical — if you look through the Old Testament, you’ll find prophets praying for death (e.g. Elijah, Jeremiah, Jonah). …God’s own men, seeking earnestly to die. These men are not disdained for this, either. However, the same can’t be said of those in the Bible who go ahead and do take their own lives (e.g. Saul, Ahithophel, and you-know-who in the New Testament). So, Biblically speaking, your prayer is fine — and you actually do have Scriptural grounds to suppose that it may be answered in the way that you wish, since there is a Biblical precedent in Judges 16:30.
Anyway, I hope that you receive a reply — whatever it may be.