“Aaliyah's friends say ‘good-bye’ ... for now.”
On August
25, 2001, many people, especially in the entertainment world, were stunned
by the news that Aaliyah, a rising star, was killed along with eight other
people, on a plane returning from the Bahamas. She was loved and remembered
for not only what she had done and what she meant to many people, but also
for what she could have done -- had she lived a long life.If you happen to see the video of the song “Miss You,” you will notice that many of Aaliyah’s hip-hop and R&B friends are together in this video. Many famous people are a part of this moving tribute.
What can we do when someone we love is no longer with us?
According to all of the reports, this young lady was beautiful, classy, humble and very talented. She had everything in front of her -- yet this tragedy took her away from her family, friends, and fans. The Internet is filled with information on her. She was very much loved -- so what happens now? Where do her family, friends and fans go now to pick up the pieces?
It’s been too long and I’m lost without you
What am I gonna do, I’ve been needing you, wantin’ you
Wonderin’ if you’re the same and who’s been with you
Is your heart still mine, I wanna cry sometimes (Yea)
During such times we may ask the question of “Why?” -- even though we can’t really ever get an answer. Perhaps another possible question would be “What now?” or “How do I get through this most difficult time?” We can at least attempt to respond to these questions. We can respond by answering through the gift of relationships with family and friends, faith in God, and the hope that we will be reunited with all of our friends and family one day in heaven.
How can our relationships with family and friends help?
During times of loss, we need to know we are not alone. We need to know that people are willing to be our friends even though it may be difficult. During times of mourning we need the support of friends.
Aaliyah’s family (the Haughtons) needed the support of friends -- they needed other people to help them get through the time of intense suffering. So her friends gathered around each other and her family to provide support.
And what about our faith in Jesus? Our family and friends are with us during difficult times, but He is with us also. Though it may be hard to see that God is present at certain moments, when we look back on our lives, we see that He has always been with us, providing the people and events in our lives that helped us get through those rough times.
Come back to me (To me)
Can you feel me (Callin’)
Hear me callin’ for you (For you)
Is it all right to be angry with God?
There are some things that are normal with grief. Some of us do become angry with God, but for most of us it is a temporary stage that we move through. Unless there is an obvious place to aim our anger (as in the case of a drunk driver or some other person responsible for the death), God may seem like the only other choice.
But we must remember that Jesus loves and cares about us, especially when we are in a time of suffering. He calls to us, asking us to let him take some of our pain and suffering. When we are hurting, if we listen closely, we can hear him calling to us -- loving us.
For when we mourn, Jesus holds us in a special place. In the Gospels, Jesus continuously preaches of the concern for those who are suffering. We often find Jesus moved by the hurts of others. When Lazarus died and his family went to Jesus, Jesus was so moved with the death of his friend that he brought Lazarus back to life. There are other times when family members of the sick came to Jesus seeking his assistance and he was so moved with pity that he healed their sick relatives.
I can’t (I) wait no (No more) more (No)
Since you went away
I don’t really feel like talkin’ (No)
Don’t want to hear them bug me (No, no)
Tell me do you understand me
I can’t do but be without you
We always have the hope that life on earth is only a temporary time in eternity.
When we reflect on such an event as the death of a loved one, we can find comfort in the hope of heaven. This is what Aaliyah’s brother, Rachad said at her funeral during the eulogy:
"When the birds sing, I’ll hear your angelic voice resonate through the sky.Those of us with faith believe that this world is really not the end. We believe that there is a resurrected life after this world. Therefore, those of us with faith know that death doesn’t end our relationships with our family and friends. We know, like Rachad, that death has been conquered.
I’ll look at the moon and stars and see the twinkle in your eye;
I’ll walk the earth knowing that you are everywhere.
Looking down from heaven, waiting for your big brother to get there.
Hold her for me God, Amen."
Now you’re gone and I’m lost without you here now
But I know I gotta live and make it somehow
Let us pray that we can always remember that for all of the suffering and death in this world, the wonderful hope of heaven is waiting to reunite us with all those we love. Can you think of any better hope or any better news?
Life Applications:
How do you deal with loss in your own life? How have you helped others deal with their losses?
Have you ever been angry with God? What did you do to deal with it?
Are you consoled by the fact that through Jesus, we are offered life everlasting? Why or why not?
From the Catechism:
The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering. Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven. (CCC 618)
By Dcn Jim Corder
FAITHteen Home | FAITHteen
Issue #6 | About
FAITHteen | FAITH
Magazine