What is death to you?

That is a subject not many people like to discuss for what it represents: the loss of someone very dear to us that makes us suffer. In the case of someone who has been very bad to people, like a tyrant, for instance, death is a relief and will make some celebrate even with happiness. So death brings a diversity of feelings. For the ones who have been adopted in Christ’s family, know that it is merely a transfer of place to live to where there’s no more sickness or suffering, for we know that Jesus overcame death and we say like Paul, the apostle: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? OH DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING?” (I Corinthians 15.54-55)  Therefore, what we celebrate is LIFE, knowing we would live forever under the grace of God. (That is if we want, of course.)

In this past month we received the bad news of the death of a dear uncle.  But, why we say bad? Actually, it was sad, but not bad because he was suffering and seeing his loved ones suffering along with his sickness, bearing his inability to care for them as he used to when he was healthier and younger, and seeing everyone around him making extra efforts to please him, so death in this instance, or in the good sense of its meaning, it would be a relief for him and for all who loved him.  So we would cry for his loss, but at the same time would be happy he’s resting of his troubles peacefully.

Death was a result of sin. When I was little and read the story of Adam and Eve, I could not understand that they did not die immediately, as they were told: “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2. 16, 17)  And I learned they were just kicked out of paradise and cursed, Adam with work in order to subsist and Eve with painful childbirth. And the cherubim guarded the “Tree of life” which was still there. (Genesis 3.16-19, 23-24 ) I did not realize then that God had a plan for our salvation from the eternal death we inherited because of their sin and that He would put it to work as soon as Christ came, lived among us, taught us how to cope with our stigma and let himself be killed and resurrect in order to free us from eternal misery as the result from the transgression. And all we have to do is BELIEVE –in spite of any misfortune we might experience due to our own mistakes, or not believing. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3.18)

My uncle was blessed with a particular way of making people laugh and we all felt it was a way of jumping over the difficult times that due to the political condition in our country there were many, and to me, that’s a virtue.  He was also blessed with a beautiful numerous family of children, grand and great-grandchildren who really appreciated him, which is the result of a good family education he intended. We thank God for his life and its impact on his loved ones. May God bless them always.

Many might not like to talk about death but it is what is going to happen to all of us and the ones who know how to live rightfully will leave a smile at their memory.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. (Psalms 116.15)

In loving memory of my uncle Francisco Padilla, native of Santa Clara, LV, Cuba, who resided in Corona, California.

I would like to congratulate all the fathers who like my uncle care for their family enough to educate them to be good people.