Our Blessed Hope

The sudden death of someone who is near and dear to us is always a cause for many emotions. As I write this our dear cousin, Connie Alviar Calanza, passed away suddenly at the age of 53. She was also our neighbor and one place we always went on special occasions like birthdays, holidays, fiesta, etc. Connie was an elementary school teacher as well and much loved and respected in our town of Canlaon City here in the Philippines. She leaves one daughter, five sons and a loving family… some of whom are related by blood and some, like myself, by marriage. How we become related makes little difference to the sense of loss and shock.

The “loss”, of course, is merely what will be the absence of an earthly relationship and fellowship. In reality we have suffered no loss, for Connie loved the Lord and was a faithful servant of Him. She was a faithful daughter of Mama Mary too. So, our “loss” is Connie’s gain for I have faith that right now she is not only in the Presence of the Lord but also in the company of her husband, Bebot, who preceded her, and of all the family who also loved and served the Lord.

Grieving

One of the emotions that God built into us for moments like this is “grief”. We cry (as I am as I write this) … some openly and some privately. It’s been my experience that Filipinos, at least in this part of the country, don’t show open signs of grief like crying. It must be a cultural thing. I, of course, am another story. The Lord has given me a tender heart and my hurting is not hidden well as with those around me here.

But even in our grief there is a difference. Saint Paul told the Thessalonians in Chapter 4 verses 13-14 of his first letter to them (usually cited in discussions of the Second Coming) that our grief is not the same as those who have no hope. To us death is not, as Shakespeare called it, “the undiscovered country”. We have One Who went before us and came back. Paul tells the Romans in Romans 6:3-5 The Resurrection of the Lord is our guarantee of the reality of our own resurrection and eventual reunion with those who have gone before us. We mourn, but we don’t grieve any more than we would at any earthly parting. It’s not “the end” but only the Intermission.

Our Blessed Hope

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Saint Paul tells Saint Titus that we have a “Blessed Hope” to look forward to. Some people mistakenly identify the “Rapture” as “the blessed hope” but Paul obviously makes it two events using “and” to join them. This follows on from what he also told the Thessalonians in the verses that follow the ones I cited above. Those who have died in the Lord will be resurrected first and then those “who are alive and remain” will be caught up together with them to be with them and the Lord forever.

Saint Paul also tells the Corinthians that this “blessed hope” is the central theme of the very Gospel he preached. It’s the reason that we are baptized. When I was an Evangelical Christian minister and I baptized people I always cited Romans 6 in saying “buried with Him in Baptism and risen to walk in newness of life” as I lowered them into the water. That “newness of life” is a down payment (the “earnest of our inheritance”) that will see the ultimate fulfillment in our resurrection.

How I View Death

At times like these it’s natural to consider our own mortality even for those less advanced in years than myself. The time will come for all of us if the Lord tarries. The death rate is 99.99999% (have to allow for Enoch and Elijah or it would be 100%). No one gets out alive. But if you love the Lord and seek a right relationship with Him daily there should be no fear in death.

I view death as “graduation” and I look forward to it as much as one looks forward to high school or college graduation. Now don’t get me wrong. As someone once said, “I look forward to Heaven, but I don’t necessarily want to be in the next load.” It’s not a morbid fascination on the subject, but a calm assurance that when that time comes I need not fear. As Saint Paul told Saint Timothy (and as is echoed in the great old gospel song): “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Rest in Peace, Connie. We’ll see you after the Intermission.

termission.