FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
Lola Apol
is a 110-year-old woman from a simple parish south of Metro Manila. I
met her when I was a young priest 18 years ago. Back then, at 92 years,
she would always tell me that she already wanted to go back to her true
home with God. At times, she would feel frustrated and sad because she
thought God had already forgotten her. Here is a woman who longed for
God. How many of us can say the same? Note that she is not really sick
with anything, save for what goes with age. She, like many of us, could
really wish to have a long life. But for her, eternal life is best.
The
Christians will stand erect and raise their heads when all the signs
given by Jesus of the end time come. Others will die of fright. For the
Christian, it is redemption. For others, it is either death or judgment.
The very basis of Christian faith is the resurrection. Paul said that
if Jesus did not resurrect, then all of what we are doing — praying,
doing good works, or sacrifice — will amount to nothing. We live and die
for the resurrection.
Life
on earth is part of our full life. That is why the Lord Jesus became
one like us. He taught, during His ministry, how to live life and lead
it to eternal life. Even death could not stop us from attaining the
reward of the Kingdom. Jesus put an end to it by rising to life again.
Death
still evokes fear. But to believe that death is not the end gives hope.
This is what the Lord Jesus preached and stressed. It is what should
help us to forgive, love our enemy, make sacrifices, embrace poverty or
leave one’s family. No wonder God gave it as the first of all
commandments! Loving God above all things, indeed all creation, saves
us. Fr. Benny Tuazon
REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you becoming impatient in waiting for eternity with Jesus?
Father,
You created me for eternal life with You in heaven. Please give me the
grace to wait in joyful hope for that glorious time to come.
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