WORD ALIVE
FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD
Somebody once said, “There are two things we cannot escape in this life — paying taxes and dying.”
The first is certainly not true because we know too well that there are tax evaders. But with death, that’s a 100-per-cent certainty. No wonder, one funeral undertaker always closes his greeting cards, thus: “Eventually yours”!
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The coming feast of All Souls reminds us that one day we will follow in the footsteps of our departed loved ones. The Lord says to prepare, “Blessed are those servants who are vigilant when the Master comes at a time they do not know” ((Lk 12,40).
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Jesus teaches us in today’s Sunday gospel that our spiritual preparation should consist in obeying “God’s commands to love God and love one’s neighbor as oneself.”
There are people who show their love for God by going to Sunday Mass, receiving Holy Communion, and making their devotions. They believe that they have done their Christian obligation.
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But for Jesus there can be no true love of God unless it expresses itself in love for one’s neighbor. St. John in his letter puts it succinctly: “If anyone says ‘I love God’ but hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4,20).
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Love for neighbor can be shown in many different ways. For instance: A friend ophtalmologist confided to me, “Fr., there are so many people suffering during this pandemic time. When patients come for consultation or treatment, I accept them even if they cannot afford to pay. I pity them. I tell myself I’m better off than them.”
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Today is Prison Awareness Sunday. It’s a call of God and the Church to reach out to them. Chaplains, nuns and lay people make sacrifices, showing love and kindness. It’s not an easy apostolate but they are motivated by Jesus, who in the in the Last Judgment, will say: “When I was hungry, you fed me; sick and in prison and you visited me, enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Read Matt. 25).
There are other works of mercy and justice, like paying the just wages and social benefits of one’s workers. This calls to mind the medical health workers and frontliners who have been long clamoring for what’s due to them.
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Some people are afraid of dying. There’s a lady who never takes the plane in going to their home in Cagayan de Oro City. I’m scared she said. “Mama,” her daughter argued, “even if you take a plane, a boat, or bus, if it’s your time to go, you cannot help it.” The mother thought for a moment, then replied, “You have a point there. But what if it’s the time for the pilot to go, and I’m on his plane! What then?”
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There should really be no fear if we are at peace with God and our fellowmen or if we’re putting into practice his commands of loving Him and loving our neighbor.
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While we’re still in this world, may the words of the writer John Dunne inspire us to do more good works. He says: “I shall pass this way but once. Any good, therefore, or any kindness that I can do, let me do it now. Let me not neglect nor defer it for I shall not pass this way again.”
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THE LIGHTER SIDE. “Your mother-in-law died. Do you want her to be embalmed, buried, or cremated?”
Son-in-law: “Take no chances. Do all three.”
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If you think you are indispensable, take a walk around the local cemetery. Rich or poor, famous or infamous, all life ends to the grave.
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You may party in Hell, but you will be the barbeque! …
Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to MEET Him.
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COVID PATIENTS. Let me thank those who responded to my appeal for financial assistance to poor Covid patients. I am appealing further since our funds are dwindling. Any amount will be highly blessed.
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For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected]