Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Rhing Malbog SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Thursday 5th Week of Lent
People at the crematorium have an interesting, albeit amusing, way of determining if the dead led a good life. They let the color of the ashes tell the story: white if good; dark if otherwise. So when my friend’s father died and was cremated, his family heaved a sigh of relief and felt elated upon seeing the white-as-a-flour ashes of their beloved: an affirmation of his goodness. Jokingly, a family friend told his wife. “Hon, no cremation for me when I die please. Baka malagay ka sa kahihiyan. My ashes won’t be as white…”
Could this be the reason why very few opt for cremation: to spare the bereaved from embarrassment if the ashes of the dead is off-white or darker? A more important question is then hereby posed: Are you ready to die? If your heart is filled with unrest, you need the tranquility that comes from knowing God, that he has not forsaken you; that He will always love you. It is only when you are at peace with yourself that you are able to say that you are ready to face your Creator.
If you are steadfast, true to your faith, and do your share in witnessing to the Word, you will surely be rewarded. The good Lord is firm on this and thus say: “Amen, amen…whoever keeps my word will never taste death.
Jesus himself faced death squarely by taking courage in the Father assuring faithfulness and love. But above all, to fulfill the Father’s will to bring us salvation and freedom from death and sin. This is what we celebrate with great reverence during the Holy Week.
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