Oficjum za zmarłych (jutrznia, nieszpory) tworzywem homilii pogrzebowej
Officium for the dead at Matins and Vespers as the source for funeral homily

Summary/Abstract: The presented article, based on the texts of Matins and Vespers in the Liturgy of the Hours for the dead is aimed at deepening the reflection over the Mystery of Death. The contemporary man needs a deepened philosophical and theological reflection over one’s existence, which is guided towards eternal life. The first part of the article focuses on the theological content of Matins and Vespers for the dead in a structural-chronological order. The second part offers topics that can be used in homilies. The theological motifs of the Officium are centered around the three important issues: man’s destination to immortality, the Mystery of Passover in man’s life, and eternal life as the completion of existing temporality. Prayer texts help to realize that God the Creator brought the man to life to make him/her happy. The Church, through the liturgy, combines man’s death, funeral and eternity with the cross and the Resurrection of Christ. The Church offers prayers to the dead which tell about Chris’s death. The faithful man experiences a special kind of presence of God and closeness to Christ who healed, raised from the dead but also experienced suffering, torment, and death. All the earthly sufferings of the man, experienced in connection with the Mystery of death and Resurrection of Christ have special significance for eternal life. A story of passing life and eternity are united in the prayers for the dead.

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