Life After Death

Do you believe in life after death? I can't ever remember not believing in life after death, but some days I believe it more than others. Take yesterday for example. It was the so-called Patronal Feast Day for our parish which is dedicated to the Holy Apostles. For those not familiar with Orthodox traditions, this means our parish has special prayer services on the evening before the feast day (Vigil service) and a Divine Liturgy on the feast day itself in honor of the 12 Holy Apostles (Judas Iscariot being replaced by Matthias) of Christ. Usually, a few people from other parishes join us for prayers as a way of honoring the Patrons of our Parish. On Monday night, after the Vigil service concluded, I overheard a visitor comment, "If that (i.e. the Vigil service we had just concluded) doesn't get the Holy Apostle's attention, I don't know what will." That statement jolted me a little. Even though I believe in life after death. . .even though I believe the Holy Apostles pray for our little parish. . .it still shocks me a little to speak of it so matter-of-factly. Yet, what he said registered. I sensed that what he had said was true.

Now. . .jump forward about 12 hours. We had our Divine Liturgy early in the morning, and afterwards I was rushing to work. "Rushing" is the correct word, since about 2 miles from work, a policeman pulled me over for speeding. As he walked up behind the car I reached over to get the registration and proof-of-insurance and sighed. I rolled the window down expecting to hear, "Please show me your license and registration." Instead, I heard, "Just slow down for me, OK? You look like you're enjoying your morning, but I was doing 70 and you were pulling away from me! So, just slow down a little, OK?" That was it. No ticket, no lecture. Just a very pleasant warning to slow down. As I rolled up my window, and pulled out into traffic I got a little choked up. Not just because I hadn't gotten a ticket. Of course that was nice. . .but the thing that choked me up was the distinct impression that the Holy Apostles had just interceded for me in heaven. Something they said or did in heaven made a difference in my life on earth. They blessed me. In honor of their feast day, they blessed me. Stuff like that is what builds faith.