The conversations about our wishes for our health and personal care in preparation for when we may not be able to speak for ourselves are some of the hardest conversations of our lives. It would be easier to deny the possibility and focus on something less emotionally taxing. Those are the conversations about one’s wishes for their health and personal care, when they are not able to speak for themselves.
Yet what a gift it would be to give them a chance to express their thoughts about decisions that have to be made and their wishes about how to honour their personhood and faith when they themselves cannot communicate well enough.
It would also be a gift to those who eventually have to wrestle with those heart-wrenching choices on someone’s behalf. It would be a comforting guide when faced with decision making and reassuring memory, as one has to live with their decisions.
Jesus gave his disciples this gift. He spoke openly with his friends about the days ahead, about his suffering, rejection and death, about his identity and faith, and about his relationship with his disciples throughout all that turmoil. And beyond.
Faithful God, death is a part of our reality in this world. Yet we are not comfortable talking about it and certainly not with our loved ones. Please give us courage and wisdom to overcome our fears and give the gift of speaking and listening. Amen. — ES