On Accepting Death of a Loved One
by Fr. Steve Sotiroff
When one dies, yes, there is a purification. But if I give up the one I love to Love, I will only be loved more. It is of great importance to offer this suffering, this purification, up to God in order to receive from God the consolation of Love.
What a consolation it is knowing that the Love received completely surrounds and is with and in the loved one given up. The loved one in the arms of God would want the complete surrender of the other left behind in order that that loved one on earth be filled more completely with God (His love) and, in so doing, more one with the loved one who is one with God.
This would fill the loved one left behind with great hope and greater union with God on earth. Thus, the loved one left behind grows in holiness, is consoled, and lives with greater hope. The loved one in the arms of Love, happiness increases.
It is important to seek God’s help to accept the loss of a loved one…to offer up the purification for such surrender is consoled by infinite Love.