At the hour of my death, call me
Anima Christi: At the hour of my death, call me and bid me come unto thee
The seventh of seven meditations on the Anima Christi from Unconditionally, Finding Jesus in the Eucharist
By Greg Wasinski
When our time is up, will we feel worthy of His love? Anything but a resounding “yes” could make us feel distance in those final hours. The power of this line is its appeal to not be alone as our soul prepares for eternal rest. A final moment of peace, understanding, and clarity that Jesus is with us. We have nothing to fear during the final moments of our earthly life if we live a Christ-centered life. United with our Lord through His dying and resurrection, we receive a final Holy Communion. One last feast with the Lord as He prepares all we are for our journey to Heaven.
The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ’s words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum (A final Holy Communion) as nourishment for the journey. (CCC1020)
We are making it known to God by praying this life that we desire to spend all our days with Him. A declaration we crave for Him to be with us so we might be with Him. We find comfort in the words spoken by Jesus in John’s Gospel when he promised,
My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. (Jn 10:27-29)
We pray, “Lord, be with me in my final moments so that you will call me home, holding my hand to provide me with all I need to make a peaceful journey to enter into your Kingdom.”
That I may praise you with your saints, forever and ever. Amen.
How could we ever repay God for all He has done for us other than to praise Him at His throne along with all those who have gone before us? Gaining Heaven isn’t just about avoiding hell or a place where God is not evident. It’s about the opportunity to rejoice in the eternal banquet which is filled with all those who have gone before us in the Communion of Saints.
If we have praised Him on Earth in all things in the appropriate manner and time, I imagine Heaven will not be any different; it’s our home. We were made by God to return to God. As St. Anselm of Canterbury plainly puts it, “No one will have any other desire in heaven than what God wills; and the desire of one will be the desire of all; and the desire of all and of each one will also be the desire of God.”
We pray, “Lord, there will be no greater glory than to be with you forever and ever, as our entire community of believers join together with love to glorify you each day. You made me to return to you, and through the Eucharist I experienced the Heaven where you dwell and seek to be there always.”
Personal reflection
Now that I have shared my reflection on the beauty of the Anima Christi, I would like to offer you another insight to my own personal prayer, which came about as an extension of the words we just examined. I have taken the precepts of the Anima Christi and let it become the foundation of not only my “after Communion” reflection, but also my personal preparation during the consecration of the bread and wine. As each gift (“species” to be theologically correct) is lifted in the form as to which our eyes can process, I pray these words:
As the bread is elevated:
Lord Jesus, I am humbled that you have presented yourself to me in this gift of the Eucharist. I pray that I will be nourished physically and spiritually through your Bread of Life. Allow your bones to become my strength and your flesh to envelope me in your grace. I desire to become one with you so I may hunger no more as I journey toward your Kingdom.
As the chalice is raised:
Jesus thank you for the gift of your sacrifice and your blood poured out for me, now present before me. When I drink from this cup, allow your blood to flow into my veins, making me one with you so nothing will ever separate us. Allow me to become consubstantial with you so I might have the courage and strength to be your hands, feet and eyes for the world because You live in me. May the waters from your side wash me when I have failed you and let me thirst no more for your love. May I never forget the sacrifice you offered for me on that Good Friday.
Feel free to adapt this prayer or any prayer that allows you to fully connect with Christ in the Eucharist. I invite you to even write your own. Revise the wording so it speaks from your heart in the way that you speak so the words are not uncomfortable to repeat. Create a time and space where you are talking with God, giving homage to the Savior who gave His life for us. Let it free you from the distractions of life and help you to become transformed through the grace in which only the Bread of Life can offer; unconditionally connected to Jesus Christ found crucified and resurrected in the Eucharist.
Copyright © 2015 by Greg Wasinski & LMBM, Inc. All rights reserved.
Greg Wasinski was successful, career driven, business executive searching for lifelong fulfillment when he heard a direct calling from God to move his talents into full-time ministry. Greg is an internationally recognized, Catholic Christian inspirational speaker and author from Cleveland, OH. He also offers his radio talents as a daily contributor to SiriusXM Radio’s The Catholic Channel with his “Faith & Real Life Moments.”
