Death and Afterlife 15 - A Transition - A Crossover

After death the soul enters a new stage.

What we have learned so far about death is that at the moment of our death there is a struggle that takes place as the soul separates from the body. The soul is ever conscious and retains its character it had before death. As it separates from the body it now encounters a new condition. It crosses over to into a new realm. This means our soul will be entering an unknown territory.

We will need a guide?

This is all new so won’t we need a guide? Who will be there to guide us? if we have been faithful we will be guided by our guardian angel. It will give us support in this difficult transition and help us adjust to the spiritual realm. Our angel will lead us if we are willing to follow.

Do you know your guardian angel?

How do we know if it’s true that we have such an angel? Saint Gregory of Nyssa recorded that this reality has “credence from the Church fathers.’ They are “appointed by [God] to assist in everyone’s life. We read in Psalms, “The angels of the Lord encamp all around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Ps 34:7). And Paul’s speaks, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb 1:14)

Why do we need a guide?  

Saint John Chrysostom writes: “If we need a guide when moving from one city to another, much more the soul which has burst out of the flesh and is moving toward the life to come will need guides to lead it.  

Entering an unknown realm.

In this transition we are entering into a realm we do not know. So it’s only reasonable to assume a guide would be not just helpful but essential. We must remember our guardian angel every day.

Do you know your guardian angel?

A daily prayer included in the evening compline service: 

O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of mine enemy, lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.

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