Last May 29, my uncle died. He was 64. This reminded me of a Beatles song, "When I'm Sixty-Four." It was my uncle who introduced me to the world of the Beatles. He was an avid fan. I was too, because of him. I even had a Hofner bass guitar like Paul McCartney's. During my boyhood years (and he was a teenager back then), he had a lot of 45 rpm and long playing records too. His love for music was the one thing that I remember most in him. Later on in life, he got interested in the Bible.

I have written a few times about death and dying. I guess it's my way of coping with grief -- dealing with death. I felt the pain my cousins went through as they grieved over the death of a parent -- their father -- my uncle. But I'm always comforted by the words of Paul that those who are dead in Christ will be with the Lord (1 Thes. 4:16). My uncle was buried last Sunday but I know all is not lost. There is hope for the dead. That is very reassuring from the Lord.

As I get older, the Lord has shown me more and more understanding about death and dying. He has shown me that those who are in Christ have died to sin. Those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We have been united with him in his death. In short, we died with Christ (Romans 6:1-10). Although I have read these verses for more than two decades now, it has become more meaningful to me over the years as the Lord continues to enlighten me.

By God's grace, we are in union with Christ. When he died, we died. When he was buried, we were buried with him. When he rose, we also rose from the dead and Paul said that as a matter of fact, we have already been seated with him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). In so far as Paul was concerned, it's as good as done! In him, we live and move and have our being. We are forever united with Christ.

Now take note of this: "Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." (Romans 6:8). Paul firmly believed that he died with Christ. Additionally, he also believed that being dead in Christ, he will also live with him. We won't remain dead! Notice verse 5 again: "If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." We will also live with him! This is very reassuring to me.

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Comments (1)

• 2010-06-11 06:51:11 |203.82.33.xxx| Oscar Labastilla  - Pare Lading
  

  Hi Len,I was in Manila when I received this sad text from Pare Leo Sison (I'm not sure if you know him)about Pare Lading's death. A few moments later Pare Leo sent me again another shocking text that another friend of ours, and a neighbor of Pare Lading's succomb to just another untimely death - Ben Pelos. He died a day earlier, May 28, but since he died in Bohol while on a clan reunion, the news of his death reached Bayugan a little bit late. Unya kay ang among return flight to Bohol was scheduled on June 6, wa jud ko ka attend sa burial ni Pare Lading. I was able to attend Ben's last wake though. He was buried last Tuesday, June 8. There I was told that Lading's constant companion was his bible. He rarely went out, according to Fred Bacus who would pay him a visit once in a while, preferring to pore over his bible than spent his time outside. I knew him since we were in our early teens and that was how he was, I mean, his ultimate dedication to whatever he wanted to do. Mao to nga daghan kaayo siyag Beatles collection. He treasured these collections and defended them as a lioness to her cubs. By the way, I like your thoughts about death. Regards. :D Oscar
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