Looking into the soul waiting for God's call

Looking into the soul waiting for God’s Call

As Jesus called Lazarus forth from his burial tomb the onlookers were in awe and confusion at what they just witnessed.  A man who for sure was dead since he went beyond the normal three days where the Jews believed at that length of time the person was dead for sure.  

How they wondered could this be and who really is Jesus?  There was no explanation from Lazarus as to what or where anything he experienced.  By today’s standards people would be at him and any remembrance of what he encountered while away (away from physical life). Did he see, hear, or even sense something to accentuate a darkened vision or hear his name before that of Jesus?  It could really add to the fact that there is something beyond what we experience while alive.

Some mystics have mentioned after a glimpse of heaven that there was music like never heard before.  And others spoke of colors that they never saw anywhere on earth.  As Paul mentioned in Corinthians; “I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.”  (2 Cor. 12: 2 - 5).  

There is no doubt that more than one person has seen a sight of what there must be beyond the dimension we live in.  We hear of people who have been resuscitated after death and recounted things they saw or heard that might make their experience palpable.

Most people will never experience this kind of occurrence, yet some may find once in a while an unexplainable happening that makes the presence of something or someone a reality.  While in Texas, and visiting an eatery where we had to go up and down a winding aisle, my friend asked me a strange question.  He said when we passed one part of the wall (one without floor to ceiling walls) and open to the connecting aisles if I smelled something strange.  I answered in the affirmative that I sensed the fragrance of roses.  As we passed the location on the next path of our walk there was no mistake that the sweet smell of fresh roses was consistent with being in a rose garden.  Looking around there were no plants of any kind, no package that may have been left there inadvertently and no one else with the fragrance nearby.  And the smell never seemed to leave that particular area.  Mike is a friend I met while on assignment at St. Anne’s in Midland, TX.  He later told me, after returning to Pittsburgh, that he had been ordained a deacon because of my ministry in Texas.  I believe that was one of the moves I made as a full-time deacon that God used me to inspire Mike.  Also, Mike was very strong in Marian devotions and the fragrance we both smelled together at the same time and at the same location may have had something to do with Mary, the Mother of God.   It has been noted that Mary’s presence can at times be felt through roses.  The “odor of sanctity” is a fragrance that comes from a person or their clothing or their presence before or after death.  Many people have experienced this after a particular moment in devout prayer.  The writer of this particular segment of an on-line article said he spoke with a couple who at a visit to the Basilica in Fatima who experienced a strong scent of roses at the end of Mass.   He goes on;  Two weeks before the death of my mother we had a discussion about a similar experience she had.  She said I need to share with you something that happened to me today.  I was sitting in my chair saying my rosary when I looked up and the walls were covered in roses.  This means I am going to be leaving soon.  Mary has always been with me and I will likely be with her soon.  

St. Theresa de Lislieux, known as the Little Flower, produced a strong scent of roses when she died.  It was present for days after she passed away.The above by a guest blogger and on-line.   

The one thing that in my almost 50 years as a deacon I have learned never to doubt the presence of God, or in this case the Blessed Mother, in my ministry.  This is one particular advice I have handed on to future deacons is do not be surprised when the Holy Spirit whispers to you or points a new way that he wants you to accept.  These are the same movements that the Lord called Abraham and others to do exactly.  That at times can become the very essence of your ordained ministry, or layman as well.

Ralph B. Hathaway