The death of a close friend, partner, or relative can be a very
painful and difficult experience. First of all we feel a great
sense of loss - an important part of our lives has suddenly
become part of the past. Did we say and do all the things we
could have done? Did that person know how much we loved
them? Did we love them enough?
Death can be a great test of faith, particularly when someone
dies "before their time," because of accident or disease.
We may feel that life seems pointless, arbitrary, or cruel. The
bereaved can find themselves denying the reality of a just and
loving God, as if death proved life to be meaningless.
It is important to be humble, to remind ourselves that there are great
mysteries to life that we cannot expect to understand. When
poetry and prayer fail to fill the aching void of grief, we may
take comfort in all the ancient traditions that insist on the
immortality of the soul. The notion of death as
oblivion is a recent product of empty materialism. The transition
of the soul can take as long as 49 days, according to Mandaean
and Tibetan Buddhist tradition. So the Angel Yehudiah can be
invoked, in your own personal way, at any time during this period, to
help ensure the safe crossing of your loved one.
