"CHRIST has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again" goes the Memorial Acclamation, sung or recited by the faithful during Holy Mass.
It has been almost three years since I recovered from my second stroke from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Thanks be to God, I recovered and has joyfully served the Lord almost full time since then.
Another SAH victim struck a famous victim last week. Actress Isabel Granada suffered what seems like a brain aneurysm and has never recovered.
So Easter Sunday is no April 1 is no April Fool's Day is no fool's prank on me or anyone else. It's a blessing. Almost three years and counting serving the Lord as a lay missionary of the Prayer and Life Workshop guide and Editor-in-Chief of The Feast-Bacolod Bulletin.
When I became more bold and militant in proclaiming the Good News of Salvation, I knew I would be nailing shut the life I used to know. National and foreign travels to attend conferences and workshops and the stipend to augment my lifetime savings.
That doesn't worry. My Father God has blessed me abundantly, local environmental and human rights who made good in promoting the local to national and global agenda.
No big loss for me. I had my time. Let others use the opportunity I created and left for other Filipinos.
I don't earn money from the various charismatic ministries I involved with. In fact, I spend more than I earn from mediation or writing for SunStar Bacolod. (Of course, I still deserve to get my share from the sweat of my brows).
But over-all, as a charismatic, as a renewed Catholic, I feel very blessed. As St. Augustine put it, "The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death that He found in us, He has most faithfully promised to give us life in Him, such as we cannot have of ourselves."
My loss for the riches of my former world? I agree with St. Josemaria Escriiva: "The Lord's triumph, on the day of the Resurrection, is final. Where are the soldiers the rulers posted there? Where are the seals that were fixed to the stone of the tomb? Where are those who condemned the Master? Where are those who crucified Jesus? He is victorious and faced with His victory those poor wretches have all taken flight. Be filled with hope: Jesus Christ is always victorious."
I'm not a loser, but a victor in Christ. A blessed and Happy Easter to my readers!
(bqsanc@yahoo.com )