"I-Thou" : The Experience of God's Mercy and Compassion

"The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew." ~Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

I have just gone back from Talisay City, Negros Occidental last Friday night after a conference on the New Evangelization and the Young, organized by Bukal ng Tipan CICM Maryshore. The heart of the talks during the conference was the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. I will be writing about that in another article, and will focus here on my experience during my five-day sojourn in the City of Smiles.

I have been busy at work during the past weeks prior to the trip, and I looked forward to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life. I needed fresh air, and I literally got that in Maryshore where every morning I woke up to a magnificent view of flowering perennial evergreen trees and the sea. And before our good nights, I was able to do what I loved doing as a child ~ look up and marvel at the constellations shining like myriad diamonds in the dark blue vastness of the evening sky. 

Blessed Mother Teresa was right. "We need to find God and He cannot be found in the noise and the restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how in nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We  need silence to be able to touch souls."

More than anything, I prayed to have an even deeper encounter with Jesus my Savior and Greatest Friend.

Breathtaking view at Maryshore!

One of the most meaningful moments during the conference was when we were asked to write down what we would like to become for the youth we serve and minister to. We were asked to pair with another participant. My partner in that activity said he will be fearless like a lion and a joyful animator. I wrote down I'd like to be a joyful, ready to listen companion and friend. When we got back to the big group, the person beside me said he'd be an I-Thou. He wants to be Jesus to every person he will meet.

For a short background, the "I and Thou" relationship is a form of existentialism proposed by Martin Buber, an Austrian-born Israeli Jewish philosopher. In his book, he said that human life finds its meaningfulness in relationships, which bring us ultimately in relationship with God who is the Eternal Thou. The essential character of the I-Thou is the abandonment of the world of sensation, the melting of the between, so that the relationship with another "I" is foremost.

An encounter with Jesus brings joy...
New friends: some participants of the NE Conference

That person, turned friend and big brother, told me that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to strive to be the "Thou" ~ to be Jesus for others. As a part-time professor of Philosophy in one of the prestigious schools in his town, and having a bigger audience as a radio announcer, he commands respect and adulation from students and fans. It was noteworthy that he acknowledges that people need to see and experience God through him. Prior to that conversation in the big group, I got to be with him when we had an immersion to meet young sakadas (sugar plantation workers). It was, unbeknownst to him then, that God used him as an instrument to speak to me.

I'd digress a little. I have heard about the plight of the sakadas in the movies and telenovelas. Meeting real life sugar plantation workers in an hacienda moved me. Where did I find Jesus in that scorching, awe-inspiring place? In the workers themselves. 

Sakadas: Joven is on the right

We met some workers, Joven, a 17-year old young sakada, was one of them. He said he wakes up early every morning to begin harvesting the sugar canes. They have their lunch at noon until about two o'clock in the afternoon and resume to work right away. We asked if he still goes to school, and he said he cannot do so anymore. Like most young workers, Joven stopped studying and needed to work to help make both ends meet at home. His father and older brother work with him in the hacienda. But what struck me most about him is his happy disposition as he cut the the cane very close to the ground, but not too close to the root to avoid hindering regrowth. (I was told that the highest concentration of sucrose is on the base of the plant.) In spite of the risks to health due to the working conditions and the physical movement inherent to the task, Joven seemed to have found joy in what he does. He is after all, doing it for his family. For love... It really always boils down to love.

Highlight of every day: the celebration of the Holy Eucharist

I am a workaholic, sometimes to the point of being at the brink of a burnout. The physical exhaustion~ I can deal with easily. I just sleep. But to have the heart working harder? 

We have heard the proverbial phrase "you cannot give what you do not have." This I know to be very true. Often, I'd cry out to God like Blessed Mother Teresa probably did when she said "I know God won't give me anything I cannot handle. I just wish He did not trust me so much." 

Sometimes I feel I do not love enough, or that I have nothing left to give. Often I have to endure a broken heart ~ broken for the same reasons God's heart breaks: for that mentally-challenged woman in the streets who bore a child after being raped... For that full term baby being aborted... For that little boy begging alms so he can have a piece of bread... For that person who refused to accept His love and willfully chose to end his own life... Sometimes I get too overwhelmed when Jesus allows me to experience a tiny portion of his heartache as he hung on the Cross. I break down and cry...

There are times, too, when I feel that I am not doing enough for the Lord. I get into a crisis and ask myself if what I am doing is worthwhile. I wonder if I am able to impact a life; if I am able to inspire hope; if in all these things that keep me busy, I am pleasing God. I ask myself if I am able to make use of the time, talent and treasures He has given me, not for myself but for others. 

I am praying that somehow, I have been able to save a soul. Just one would be enough to make me overjoyed. But God uses me to plant the seed, He nurtures and does the rest. It is not my mission after all; it is the Lord's. I am only His instrument.

But even in my knowledge of God's unfathomable mercy and compassion for me, I felt confounded. There were days when I ask if my fight is still worth fighting for. I wondered if I am still on the right path ~ the path that God wants me to take. I really needed God to assure me not just in the silence of my heart. I needed someone to tell me that I must persevere because He has already won the battle for me.

The Lord looked past my failures and weaknesses and spoke to me with mercy and love. In his compassion, all the answers I wanted to hear, God told me loud and clear through the instrument He sent to deliver the message. 

My I-Thou re-encounter with Jesus who is my Merciful King and Good Shepherd gave me so much comfort and consolation. There is no question that because of His grace, I am able to remain firm in the Faith. But sometimes, when the heart gets too overwhelmed, especially when it is expected to give more and love more than is required, and to be strong so that others may live, it causes me to get momentarily bedazzled then groping in the dark. I was feeling like that, and I needed a physical encounter with my God that I may be filled with love to the brim in order that I may be emptied for others again. I hear Him in silence, but I longed to hear Him speak loving words to me. I needed Him to be my Emmanuel. 

As always, God is so magnanimous and overlooked my sinfulness. He gave me what I desired. He affirmed my mission through the messenger He sent to me. The Lord assured me that I need to persevere in fighting the good fight; that Faith and Love are worth fighting for, that my hope is always in Him who assured me of victory. 

The bonus blessing of the re-encounter with Jesus was gaining a grande fratello (big brother). Being the eldest, I have always been the big sister not just to my siblings, but also to most of my friends and the youth in the ministry. It felt reassuring to know that I can also be the "bunso" (youngest). Jesus after all is the firstborn over all Creation. (Rev 1:5, Col 1:15). It felt wonderful to be the sorella minore (little sister).

Mercy and compassion must move us to alleviate the sufferings of others, and leave them with a lasting and palpable joy. I encountered Jesus amidst the scathing afternoon sun. I found Him, my Lord and my God, in the presence and care of a friend.

"Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum"

I love to quote Saint John Paul II when he said that "In the designs of Providence, there are no mere coincidences."

Just recently, I met a religious sister who told me to always remember my first yes to God, as I will find in it the resolve and the strength to persevere in fighting the good fight till the very end, especially in times of trials and struggles.

God has required my "yeses" so many times. At first I would resist a bit, but then I could not just find it in my heart to say no to Him.

The most pivotal of all those yeses happened more than two years ago. I spent Holy Week for the first time in the United States and spent Good Friday in Chicago. I sorely missed the Philippines then, because here, I get to observe the holy in the Semana Santa where we have the Pabasa, the Visita Iglesia, among other pious practices that we have.

I had to do with whatever service the Church in the US had. Good Friday is not even a holiday there. I ached knowing that if one day God will allow me to live there, I will not be having days of observance of the Church's holiest days. 

On that Good Friday in 2012, I was at the Holy Name Cathedral of Chicago, and contemplated on the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. In the middle of the Liturgy and before the Veneration of the Cross, I heard the Spirit of God whisper to my heart, "I love you and Am able to give all that you ask. Are you willing to follow Me and carry the cross I shall give you?"

I had many fears and was aware of my own weaknesses. But I answered, "Yes, Lord, here i am. i will follow You."

Inside my head He showed me all that I have been praying for and all that He can give me. I knew that He shall be giving them to me in His time and not in mine.

Our omnipresent God whispered again, "I love you my child. You know that with Me all things are possible, and that even in the blink of an eye, I can give you all that you pray for and desire. But are you willing to wait for My perfect time? Do you trust Me fully? Are you willing to offer sacrifices, carry your cross and suffer for the salvation of others, while you await the fulfillment of My promises to you?"

How do you answer when the Lord asks you these questions?

With resignation in my heart and tears in my eyes, i answered, "Yes Lord, here i am. Make my heart meek and humble. Make my heart like unto Thine."

In my mind I saw women silently crying and being pushed by their circumstances to commit abortion. I saw children being forced to work while their parents neglect them. I saw young people succumb in immorality, vices and addiction. I couldn't help but cry. And I knew God wanted me to cooperate with His will and be one of His instruments to help allay fear and pain in the world.

It was overwhelming. I knew it entailed responsibility and the offering of my entire self. I shook in fear and uncertainty. I felt so unworthy to be called. I felt I was too shattered myself I cannot do much for those who are also suffering.

Finally, the Lord once again reassured me, "I love you, and I can do everything for you and give you that which you most desire..." At that point, I cried uncontrollably. I have this litany of prayers I have been begging the Lord to give me. But serving in Church ministries for a long time, I knew about patiently waiting for God's kairos. The Lord went on to ask me, "Are you willing to wait, carry your cross, commit your life to Me, and trust in My perfect will?"

In my heart of hearts, I borrowed my Sweetest Mother and Queen's reply, "Ecce ancilla Domini. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum." Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.

I look back today to that fateful day of my yes to God. I look back with happiness and tears of joy where it has taken me in my Faith journey.

Pope Francis reminds me, and all of us, that we are His people on a journey. "When we set out on a journey, when we are on a path, we always discover new things, things which we did not know... Life is a journey toward the fullness of Jesus Christ."

"God is a God of surprises..." (Pope Francis)

There is peace in obedience to the will of God. There is joy in pain (pain of waiting most especially!) But God surprises me with His goodness and mercy! He is never outdone in His generosity and love for me... 

Oh what a journey it has been!

Faith is Stronger than Yolanda: A Year After the Storm

"In deep pain, people don't need logic, advice, encouragement, or even Scripture. They just need you to show up..." ~Rick Warren.

Mass grave in the Palo Cathedral grounds

I was not in the Philippines when I heard the news about typhoon Haiyan (locally called Yolanda) wrecking havoc in the Visayas region. The towns there were cut off from electricity and communication. For the first few days, anxiety was high as we waited for news from relatives living there. It was heartbreaking to learn that family members of some of my friends did not survive. One of my cousins decided to fly to Cebu and from there, took a ferry to Ormoc. It was the only way to reach Alang-alang and Palo, where our relatives live. I do not want to sound insensitive, but my family is grateful we have not lost loved ones in Typhoon Yolanda last November 08, 2013. All my relatives in Leyte survived. But I feel their sorrow for the people that meant to them who perished that day. I listened to the stories of my cousins' harrowing experience that fateful morning when the super typhoon ravaged their town and damaged almost everything in its path. I talked with some other survivors when I visited Palo, Leyte about two months ago. Their stories still echo the deep sorrow of losing those dear to them. I guess it's easier to say you've moved on, but in reality, the anguish will never totally go away.   

One of the dormitory rooms at
St. John the Evangelist School of Theology

How do you comfort the bereaved? No words can ever be enough to ease the grief of someone saddened and deprived by the death of a loved one. Especially one that is due to a natural disaster. Sometimes, taking time to visit them suffices. I have proven that to be true when I went to Palo. The survivors I spoke with expressed deep appreciation for being remembered to be checked on. One mother was even in tears as she thanked me for my gesture of flying all the way from Manila just to meet and talk with them. 

Bro. Ryan Salvacion

I got to speak with some seminarians of the Saint John the Evangelist School of Theology in Palo, Leyte. One of them, Bro. Ryan Salvacion of San Joaquin Parish, Palo, recounted that he and his brother-seminarians were up early that day. He was serving in the morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist. He remembered it had been raining the whole night, but they were not particularly worried about the typhoon. The Philippine islands are battered by storms every year, and Yolanda did not really alarm them. Bro. Ryan said he thought the storm-surges were unlikely to reach the seminary. But when it did come, the water rose up so high they held on to the ceiling joists of the dormitory. 

Bro. Ryan said a verse from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans kept ringing in his head while they were all afloat and expecting death: "For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8). He said it was a moment of abandonment to Divine Providence, because in life and in death, we are all in the hands of God.

Bro. Jonathan Saavedra showed me
what used to be his dorm room

Bro. Jonathan Saavedra, another seminarian in Palo, but hails from Tagum, Davao del Norte, said he also found comfort in the promise of God as he held on to dear life. "The Lord says, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you... For I am the Lord your God.'" (Isaiah 43:1-3). 

In Bro. Jonathan's words: "This passage from Isaiah is a promise from the Lord that He will really save us from any calamity. Faith is stronger than Yolanda. I told the Lord that if it His will, if it is His plan that I become a priest, I prayed Lord save us! Save us from death!" 

When the waters subsided, he said he knew God still has great plans for them. 40 seminarians and two priests inside the dormitory, all survived the fury of Yolanda.

Women I had the honor to speak with

One year after the supertyphoon hit the Philippines' Eastern seaboard, the outpouring of love from people from around the world is still overwhelming. Some housewives I have visited and spoken to said the assistance and donations that everyone sent will never be forgotten. They particularly remember the very big help that the Catholic Relief Services has done to alleviate their suffering. One of the women told me that the mere presence of the volunteers from different nations who responded days after Yolanda made landfall, gave them reason to hold on. They knew someone cared enough to come and help them. They felt loved and not forgotten.

Basey, Samar, a few days after Yolanda made landfall
Photo credit: Fr. Ronnie Santos of the Diocese of Cubao

The courage and heroism of those men and women I spoke with are truly remarkable. Their warmth and smiles were genuine even between holding back tears. The fortitude that got them back on their feet again to rebuild and start anew shows heroism and strength of spirit. They have shown me what resilience and hope is about. One year after, the rehabilitation of the towns devastated by Yolanda is not totally done yet. And help still pours.

Clergy & Lay volunteers of the Diocese of Cubao
filling up a 10-wheeler truck
of relief goods for the survivors of Yolanda.

How can we contribute? Our compassion must take us where our hands reach out to touch, where our hearts listen and empathize, our mouths uplift, encourage and speak love, and where our feet move us to meet those who are suffering. Our feeling of deep sympathy must cause us to act and to do something to alleviate their pain, no matter how small the deed would be.

This, I realized, was what Jesus did during His ministry. Jesus gave us the example to follow: we are called to become like Him for others, to show His mercy and love; to be His hands and feet to those in need. Compassion must move us to take action and ease the sorrow of those who are broken and hurting. 

Before and After pictures: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
in Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City
(One of the parishes adopted by the Diocese of Cubao)

As we share our time, treasure and talent in the rehabilitation of the towns ravaged by Yolanda, let us also always remember to pray for those who perished, and those they have left behind.

Let us pray with the families affected by the supertyphoon: Most Loving Father, One year ago, the fury of Typhoon Yolanda made us experience darkness and the pain of losing everything; it made us understand the meaning of despair. But in the midst of all these, You never have forsaken us. In the most special way, You gifted us courage and strength to rise again. In the most loving way, You shielded us with mercy and compassion. And You accomplished miracles through those who came to our aid. And as we remember that day today, we thank You for the gift of faith, hope and love. We thank You for bringing us closer to You. We thank You for letting us live another day. Spare our nation from the wrath of nature, as we find ways to care for Your Creation.

Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

After Abortion: Responding with Compassion

"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person ~among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2270)

I am Pro-Life to the core! (I have shared my story in this previous article.) I am thankful for my life and am grateful that I was valued for my personhood and was not taken as a mere clump of tissue. Life is a gift from God Almighty and I cherish this gift to be alive. 

At any given time, when faced with a person who is pro-choice or is considering termination of the life in her womb, I would do my very best to convince her there are other options and that choosing life is the best way to go. But what do you do when someone comes to you and confides that she has already aborted her almost full-term baby? 

Listen with an open heart. For the first few moments after hearing such a confession, I remember being confounded and at a loss for words. I sensed the mother's reluctance to tell me the truth, and the desperation to be freed of the guilt and the pain. While I allowed her to talk, deep inside I was asking myself, How do I reach out to this woman with love? Where do I start? What do I say first?

I realized that the most loving act I could do was to listen. The wounds caused by abortion are imprinted in the soul, and allowing the mother to talk about her grief was a step towards healing. She believed that no one would understand her pain and shame, and admitted to being assaulted by self-condemnation. She struggled with thoughts of burning in hell for her sin. She knew my stance against abortion, and hesitated to share her story with me; but she banked on our friendship. I felt so shattered knowing what happened to her son, but I valued her trust. 

Judge not. I have stopped trying to grasp the weight of her desperate circumstances that led to her decision. I had no power to bring the baby back. (I couldn't help but think that the baby would have been my godson!) I have heard many stories and reasons why women choose abortion. There is fear and/or coercion. Most are due to emotional and physical abandonment by the baby's father. There is the financial difficulty, or (as what I have often heard), the extreme fear of being disowned by parents once the pregnancy is discovered. Initially, I partly blamed myself for not knowing that my friend was silently crying out for help. I was tempted to sulk at my sin of omission, but it was not the time for that. She needed help and I knew that God wanted me to be an instrument of His love. With a prayer in my heart, I did what I knew best: be her friend. I assured her that although she gave in to absolute despair before, there is a way out of the darkness. I made her feel that God loves her so much in spite of herself. I told her that God's mercy is boundless and only His love will bring back joy into her life.

Acknowledge the pain.  As I fought back my own tears, I allowed her to grieve and assured her that only God can help her from getting deeper into despair. I literally let her cry on my shoulder. I knew somehow she did not feel alone anymore. I did my very best to make her understand that there is hope and relief from her pain. I had to  convince her that God's wrath won't be upon her, especially because of her deep remorse for her wrong choice, and her willingness to ask the Lord's forgiveness.  It was vital to make her feel that I support her, that I care for her, that I'd be with her through her ordeal. Where I fall short as a friend, I told her she can depend on God as the One who'd never let her down.

Be loving. Once trust was established, she completely opened up. I resolved to express my silent, unspoken love as she related all her concerns to me. Charity and understanding was what she needed, and that I gave to her. Soon she expressed that she had to maturely deal with the repercussions of her choice. When words were no longer enough, a warm embrace sufficed. I knew those hugs were therapeutic!

Emphasize that Confession is life changing. The one thing I encouraged my friend to do was that she go to Confession. My friend told me she used to think abortion not only killed her baby, but it also destroyed her life. She thought it was an unforgivable sin that she could never approach God. I told her the Sacrament of Reconciliation was a means to connect with God, have a clean slate and start all over again. I did my best to point out that through this sacrament of God's mercy, a great deal of her burdens shall be lifted off of her shoulders and she shall have  peace of mind. I told her she only had to pray for the grace to be able to humbly approach Him whose love for her is infinite. I assured her that reconciling with God will bring about the change she so desired. In His immeasurable Divine Mercy and compassion, God shall tread all our iniquities under foot and shall cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

Live love. Love life. A few days after, she happily told me she has gone to confession and felt so much closer to God. Fast forward to a few years, she got married, and one day I received an invitation that I shall be the godmother of her healthy, gorgeous baby boy. She said she felt she was truly forgiven of her sins when she learned she was going to have another child. This time, of course, she chose life. God has blessed her and her husband with two wonderful boys!

God's healing grace and forgiveness is endless, we only have to approach Him. No matter how grave our sins are, He is always just waiting with open arms for our return. His unconditional love and generosity can never be outdone!

Bringing Back Holiness in Halloween

Children at the March of Saints earlier at
the Santo Domingo Parish

I did not grow up getting dressed as a Disney princess to go knocking at doors to collect candies on All Hallows Eve. I have experienced trick-or-treating about twice, not as a child, but as a teenager; and have gone to several Halloween parties. 

The annual fright fest was not always part of the culture in the Philippines, at least as far as I remember my childhood. The current tech-savvy generation however is probably well acquainted now with the Sandman, Jack the Ripper, the Boogeyman, Jack-o-Lantern, and perhaps even the Grim Reaper. I wasn't when I was younger.

The contemporary celebration focuses too much on horror, violence and the culture of death. (and consumerism!) But it wasn't always so. It isn't what Allhallowtide is about.

All Saints' Eve is a precursor to the celebration of the solemnity of All Saints, which commemorates all the holy men and women enjoying the beatific vision in heaven. 

Saint Pedro Calungsod and
Saint Dominic de Guzman

Earlier today I participated in the March of Saints at the Santo Domingo Parish. I did not dress up as my favorite Saint, but I was there to show support to the parish in their effort to teach the faithful about why we celebrate Halloween. Rev. Fr. Ching Salibay, OP, the parish priest, said that it was the first time they have organized the activity, and hopes it becomes an annual affair. (It was my first time to witness one, too!)  

The aim of the activity was to make people aware that we do not celebrate ghosts, warlocks and the devils on this day, but remember in a special way the people who have gone before us~ the Church Triumphant. The saints and martyrs are our models of Faith and charity. We remember how they have lived and persevered in fighting the good fight till the end, and how by their good example we can draw inspiration from. It is not easy to be good; especially when beset with trials and temptations. Fr. Ching also said that we can look to the Saints for encouragement, because in them we find that the imperfect can become perfect. (Think of Saint Peter, Saint Paul. Saint Thomas, Saint Augustine and Saint Mary Magdalene, among many other awesome saints!)

(L-R) Saint Peter Verona, Blessed Margaret of Castello,
Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Therese of Lisieux
(Saint Joan of Arc is not in the picture)

There were 34 children who came dressed as saints. There was a procession around the neighboring streets of  Santo Domingo at around four in the afternoon, followed by a short program. The parents of the children expressed approval and appreciation for having an activity geared towards giving the little ones a catechism about the saints and heaven.

Five children were given recognition for being able to best portray their saints. They were all too happy to have received their prizes.  Everyone got candies and treats of course! Each child took home a bag full of goodies and gifts from generous donors.  One of the children said he looks forward to the March of Saints in 2015 and shall definitely take part in it again. 

I hope next year there will be less goblins, vampires, witches and devils come Halloween. As Christians, we should not be ashamed and afraid to express our Faith. It's about time we embrace Halloween as a festivity that will counter the Culture of Death. Through it, we can also share the Light of Christ and proclaim His victory over sin, death and the devil!

Befriend the Angel of Death

I ran across the Grim Reaper today on my way to work. You'd think it would have evoked fear, but on the contrary, I found him cute.

It's that time of year again for trick-or-treating. This practice is customary in North America and some other countries like Great Britain and Ireland. In the Philippines, this has been gradually replacing Pangangaluwa, a local version of the old English custom souling. 

Heinrich Fussli's Sleep and Death
Carrying Awa6y Sarpedon of Lycia, 1803

But this blog is not about the practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for candies and treats. (My nephew calls it candy walk.) When I saw that little boy dressed as Death, I wondered if we actually do think about it in the right perspective. The Christian perspective at that. 

A friend of mine recently died. I had the same sentiment as anyone would have ~ it was still too early; he was still young and at the prime of his life. The cause of his death was not due to an accident or any medical condition; but no one could stop his unexpected demise. I quote Job in saying, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord."


In many cultures, Death is allegorically portrayed as someone NOT purely evil. In Greek mythology, it is portrayed as Thatanos, the twin brother of the god of sleep, Hypnos. In the Jewish tradition, it is an Angel of Death full of eyes who stands at the head of the dying person with a drawn sword. In English folklore, it has been personified as a skeletal figure dressed in a hooded black cloak and is carrying a scythe.  Even the Bible talks about the Angel of Life and Death, the "destroyer", who passed over the door of  the Israelites marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. 

Saint Michael
the Archangel

I have not heard of a Christian allegory for death. But when I think about the angel of death, what comes to mind is Saint Michael the Archangel; he who carries the souls of the deceased to heaven.

I learned from catechism that he is the angel who cried out "Quis ut Deus? (Latin for Who is like God?) when he smote the rebel Lucifer who in his pride desired to be God. In the Book of Revelation, Saint Michael leads God's armies against Satan and his cohorts. His primary role is chief and commander of the heavenly hosts who vanquished the devil, and as leader of the Army of God will achieve victory at the battle of Armageddon. (To know more about the victory of Saint Mi Cha El and the fall of Lucifer, watch this video Lucifer vs. St Michael: Why St Michael Won!) 

The Roman Catholic tradition holds him as the the protector and Guardian of the Church. He is the guardian angel of the Bishop of Rome, and the angel of the Blessed Sacrament.

Saint Michael, as the Christian angel of death, is the defender of souls. He is traditionally presumed to be present at a person's deathbed; he descends and gives each soul the chance to redeem itself before passing. He is charged not just to assist the dying, but also to accompany souls to bring them to purgatory, and afterwards present them to God. He weighs souls in his perfectly balanced scales on Judgement day, based on their deeds while living on earth. In the painting of the Last Judgement on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo depicted Saint Michael as reading the souls to be saved from the small book he held.

Archangel Michael saving souls from
Purgatory by Jacopo Vignali

In Saint Michael the Archangel, we have an angelic model for the virtues of a spiritual warrior. He exemplifies the victory of good over evil. As the Church Militant, we have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), and pray for the grace to have forbearance and fortitude to become triumphant in the battle within ourselves. 

At the Mass held in Casa Santa Matha on October 30, 2014, Pope Francis said that "Life is a military endeavor. Christian life is a battle, a beautiful battle, because when God emerges victorious in every step of our life, this gives us joy, a great happiness."

Pope Francis also said that the devil is more than an idea. "In this generation, like so many others, people have been led to believe that the devil is a myth, a figure, an idea, the idea of evil. But the devil exists and we must fight against him."

There may be people who do not believe in a spiritual combat, let alone in the existence of angels and demons. But I always remember one homily given by the Exorcist of the Diocese of Cubao, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, who said that the spiritual warfare for our souls between angels and demons is real ~ the celestial beings want to win souls for heaven, while the devils will exhaust all means to drag souls to hell for eternal damnation. 

Saint Michael depicted as
weighing souls

Death is inevitable for all of us; "through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--" (Romans 5:12). "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). But I choose to view it as the key that shall open the door for Eternal Life. 

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "death puts an end to human life as the time to open to either accepting or rejecting the Divine grace manifested in Christ. (CCC 1021). Death then is not the end. It opens the door to the afterlife ~ either in eternal joy in heaven, or unending torments in hell. "The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in His second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul -- a destiny which can be different for some and for others. (CCC 1021) 

Since death is unavoidable and comes like a thief in the night, how do we prepare ourselves for it? How then do we combat evil and stand firm in the Faith till the end? 

All is God's grace. But we have to be mindful of our choices and actions, avoid sin, always do good as we ought, and obey the precepts of the Lord. We pray to have the virtue of humility, as pride was the cause of the downfall of Lucifer. 

Saint Michael of Good Children
by Simeon Solomon

To be in the state of grace, we can always have recourse to the benefits of the Sacraments, like go to frequent Confession and daily Mass to receive the Body of Jesus in the Eucharist. Prayer, too, is a great means of salvation and of perfection. "When one does not love prayer, it is morally impossible for him to resist his passions", Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori said. 

The Vicar of Christ pointed out that we have to be constantly on guard against the attacks of the devil. He reminds us to put on the full Armor of God : Truth as a belt around our waists, and Faith in God as a shield to defend ourselves against the wickedness of Satan.

We can also keep the devil at bay by doing works of Mercy. It does not have to be something grand, because anything done from the heart confounds Satan. He can win a battle of wits with us, but he always loses whenever we choose to serve our neighbors in sacrificial love. Saint Gregory the Great said that the proof of love is in the works. 

"No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death." (Ecc 8:8). Life is short, and heaven and hell is real. It would be a bonus if God would reveal to me when He shall bid me home. But I feel that I have yet to become like the humblest and glorious of His saints before He shall grant me that grace. 

The good does not fear death. Like Simeon, we can pray for a joyful death, saying to God, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace." ((St. Luke 2:29) How wonderful it would be to be able to say, just like Saint Paul did, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith." (2Timothy 4: 7).

Saint Michael (on the left) with the small book of the blessed souls.
The angel on the right holds the book of the damned.
(The Last Judgement, Michelangelo)

In the meantime, as we tread in the valley of tears, we can rest assured that as children of God, we get the extra assistance from His ministering angels. We are accompanied always in our earthly pilgrimage and can confidently rely in the special protection of Saint Michael the archangel. When he, the Angel of Death, comes, we may welcome him as one who shall take us home to see the face of our Almighty Father.  Pray with me, as I beseech his intercession:

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the malice and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God. thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

Do What You're Passionate About

In the morning when you wake up, have you ever felt like you wish you did not need to get up to go to work? And when you do get the courage to drag yourself out of bed, do you try to encourage yourself that you can make it through another day, after all, you'd survive?

I have felt that way in the past. There were days it felt like work was forced on me, but I had to do my best anyway because I was entrusted with something that needed to be accomplished. I did not want to disappoint anyone, especially myself. And besides, I didn't want the bills to start piling up. 

I have been working for almost two decades now. And I have had seven (7) different jobs so far. Looking back, I am grateful I got the opportunity to experience them all. I learned a lot along the way. Career-wise, I am sure the world will not applaud me. After all, in that long years in the work force, I am still far from being a board director or a CEO. Honestly, that has never been my goal. Power-driven people might express derision at my lack of drive for success, but that's not just the sort of "high" that will make me feel contented with life.