Most people in our land go to cemeteries on certain days. They take flowers to spread on the graves and pray for the dead. Some even burn incense, food and fake money on them. The aim is clear: to show their respect for the dead and please or calm the spirit of their beloved ones that are now in the afterlife.
The members of the family or society who choose not to follow this rite will be scolded as disrespectful and without manners. They are many times accused of grieving the spirits of the dead.
Honestly, does anyone know what the dead are doing there in the afterlife?
None of you knows?
Well, I do.
Two years ago when my mother passed away, I was greatly disturbed by the fact that I was not present on the hour of her death. I thought to myself that she must have been waiting for me as she was departing – and I didn’t come to her side on the deathbed. I was worrying about her spirit not finding peace and rest there in the afterlife – and I told God my anxiety.
“Lord,” I whispered. “I need to know what Mom’s thinking right now while she’s by Your side. Is she thinking about me? Is she thinking about any particular matter?”
A few days later, I had a dream. It felt as real as any incident in the flesh under the sun.
In the dream, I was taken to an enormous ballroom that could hold thousands of people. The ballroom was full of light, and there they were holding a service.
The congregation was singing hymns, and I was surprised to see the one leading the song: my late pastor!
I was even more surprised at seeing my mother sitting on the third row from the podium, beautiful and healthy as she used to be before suffering from stroke!
“Mom! Mom, it’s me!” I immediately took the seat by her side.
But she didn’t answer.
“Mom?” I tried waving my hand before her eyes.
Still, she didn’t seem to notice. She was focused on singing and praising God.
She neither could see nor hear me, I thought to myself, completely bewildered.
Then, I saw the people sitting around her. I recognized the faces of women who once attended church long ago. I suddenly remembered: they all had died!
I leapt to my feet!
All the sudden I realized that the place I was visiting was not of the present world. It’s the afterlife!
With the new realization, I lifted up my face and scanned the ballroom.
There were many empty seats reserved for others whom hadn’t come yet. I saw people coming in through the huge, main door at the back of the ballroom, one by one they entered – and sat at the seats prepared for them.
I understood then, that the sermon hadn’t begun yet because they were waiting until the ballroom was full, until the number of all who died in the true faith to God was filled. They were waiting for the yet-living!
I stared back at my mother, who couldn’t stare back at me. My heart was filled with relief and joy, so great that I thought it would burst! I turned around to leave the ballroom, and the dream dissolved.
As I opened my eyes, fully realizing that I had returned to the present world, the world where we breathe and touch and smell and feel, I gave thanks to God.
Ever since that morning, I understand completely what the dead are thinking and doing in the afterlife. They are no longer burdened by the cares of material world: all such worries and problems have passed for them. All they care about is serving God for eternity. And while doing so, they are waiting for the rest of us to finally join them in everlasting peace.
Alright! Showing respect to the dead is not wrong. The fault lies at the paradigm that believes the dead are still concerned about life happening on Earth.
Trust me: they’ve wiped clear all thoughts of mortal life once they drew their last breath and went to the afterlife!
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