one fine day

as i write this article, one word is on my mind. DEATH. no, i am *not* being morbid nor suicidal. it’s just that recent events sort of force the topic on me.. so i have no choice but to think about it more deeply than i normally do.

last sunday, fr. mar in his homily mentioned the passing of their priest, fr. javellana. he described the latter’s suffering, and how fr. javellana’s disease caused his final years to be full of pain and humiliation. tonight, our choir is going to sing at his wake at st. paul.

this weekend, too, a relative of ours finally succumbed to cancer. my dad’s cousin was found to have a brain tumor around two years ago. she was operated on and put on radiation therapy; but there was no cure for her anymore. we witnessed how her condition deteriorated bit by bit. it was sad how we saw her change from this charming lady who would graciously welcome us to her home.. into somebody who could no longer talk, walk or even eat on her own. we will go to her wake in tarlac tomorrow.

then this morning, my mom’s inaanak died. complications arising from diabetes caused her organs to fail, and eventually led to her demise.

death. the great equalizer. it’s ironic how so few of us are preparing for it even though we are sure all of us will one day experience it.

on 01november, most of us will be at the cemeteries to visit the graves of our departed loved ones. the newly-bereaved will shed tears at the tombstones; while others (who have been going to the cemetery for years) will see that day as an opportunity to have a family get-together (complete with merienda, board games and radios, of course!) but i wonder just how many of us will *really* think about death on that day.

“life and love and why.. child, adult, then die. all of your hoping and all of your searching.. for what? ask me for what am i living or what gives me strength that i'm willing to die for“

- switchfoot

someone once said “in order to live life fully, one must constantly be prepared to give it up peacefully.” hmmm. this *does* seem to be a wise saying. because the life we live in this mortal body is only *practice* for the life we will live after we cross death’s threshold. so every day must be a day of preparation for the *real* life the Father prepared for us - an eternity of glory with Him.

and while it is true that death brings fear, grief and sorrow to so many of us, let us take courage and consolation in these words:

“for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:38-39

*nothing* separates us from His love :) and hopefully, when it is our turn to cross the threshold, we will no longer be frightened, but relieved. grateful for the end of all our suffering.. and eager for the rewards of a life well-lived.

may that day truly be one fine day for all of us.