The Concept of Death

Death is a part of the human life cycle that, more often than not, causes sorrow and depression to the bereaved family or friend or loved one. But what is Death really? Is it just a part of the human life cycle? Is it just our bodies being put into a long slumber until our bodies return to dust? Most of us see Death as the end of our lives. We see it as the finish line to all our desires, committments, works and treasured moments, anxieties, fears, etc. We see it as simply our soul departing from this world while our bodies are being prepared to rot with clay. But little do we know that when we die, as our soul depart from our earthly bodies, that same soul has its ability to get in contact with people far from it, as far as its memory reaches just after departing from the body. It has its own ability to make its presence known to the living it many forms: insects, shadows, butterflies, candles scents, floral scents, rotting flowers, or through dreams. Most of us also conclude that when a person is dead, they are gone forever. NO! They were never really gone. They are just in a different world apart from the world we, the living, are in. We call that world, Paradise. How can they be gone forever if their memories, even in our simple minds, still linger on? How can they be gone forever if the good (or bad) deeds and works they have done are still remembered? How can they be gone forever if their names are left written in the hearts of their loved ones? How can they be gone forever if we have always believed that one day, some day, when we pass this world, we will again see them in Paradise? How can they be gone forever if their favorite stuff are still left displayed in our shelves? How can they be gone forever if their pictures are still left standing on tha table that when we see it we couldn't even stop reminiscing the old times we have spent while they were still alive? Death is a process by which the human soul departs from the body and walks among other spirits in a different world or plane. As a Catholic, I always believe that there are three constant planes on Earth: Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. I believe that when we die, we are placed in purgatory where our soul is being prepared and cleansed. Unless our soul reaches that cleanliness and purity, we might not get to Heaven with God our Father, with Jesus our Brother, with the Holy Spirit our Friend, with Mary our Mother, with the saints and angels our guardians. Our soul rises with Jesus if our soul is pure and sinless. If the soul is not pure and unclenased and has a little chance of getting into its pure state because there was too much stain of sin, then it goes to the furnace of Hell, which no good-Christian-living human would want to go to unless have chosen to be into. So you, what is Death to you now? (***dedicated to the bereaved Family of Mrs. Bebona B. Fajardo***)