DEATH - STRICT PRACTICE NO LONGER FOLLOWED

It had been a very hectic day for me these past weeks as after the outstation schedule was completed there was some unscheduled work that need to be attended. There was this official visit by a top management of my company and we were busily preparing the visit but at the last minute were cancelled due to a very urgent matter that need his attention.

It was also a sad weeks due to the passing of relatives amidst a very sudden passing of a young mother who was involved in a car accident. My sympathy goes to the small baby who barely born only a few months and was unable to grow with the love and caring of the dear mother. May her soul rest in peace.

After witnessing the death of three people in a row, I observed that the customary observance by the people, which was very strict imposed by the elders before especially by the priestess, was no longer practiced. Since almost all the relatives are Christian, they are practicing the way the Christians are. For Christians whose lives are guided by the Bible, the reality of death is acknowledged as part of the current human condition, affected by sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5; Hebrews 9:27). There is "a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:2). Although eternal life is a gift that is granted to all who accept salvation through Jesus Christ, faithful Christians await the second coming of Jesus for complete realization of their immortality (John 3:36; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). While waiting for Jesus to come again, Christians may be called upon to care for the dying and to face personally their own death.

To summarize it, the people now are aware that one day they will eventually face death and the passing of a dear friends or relatives although very sad is a reality that cannot be avoided.