Jesus wept

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” A very good friend of Jesus, Lazarus, died. When he visited the grave together with Mary and Martha he let go of his emotions.

This event shows us that Jesus feels our pains and sufferings. His tears signify that he grieves together with the family. This then gives us an assurance that in our sad moments in life, Jesus is there with us, crying with us. Jesus does this because he is compassionate and loving.

Yesterday, we buried Mrs. Eleanor Ruth Buensuceso Fabula amidst a torrent of rain, and a lot of tears. I would like to believe that the rain was Jesus’ way of telling the mourners that he was crying with them. This is a great assurance in times of grief.

Let me share to you a poem made by my mother, Mrs. Josette Gico Jalando-on, who considers Mrs. Fabula as her best friend.

A Salute to Nang Babie (Eleanor Ruth B. Fabula)

Josette Gico-Jalando-on

Lord, how can I say thank You for the person that was Eleanor Ruth?

She was full of love, of kind thoughts and what a lot of joy to us she has brought.

She was always willing to share her blessings to dear family and friends.

She was ready to even go the second mile or her last penny lend.

You have endowed her with great talents in music and the arts,

She was also a creative cook, as she experimented with her heart.

Her hands were indeed a wonder and she wielded them with great care,

as she played beautiful music, soothing to the ears.

She was a very caring wife and mother, a doting grandmother too,

She hid her tears and disappointments well so they need never know.

She always lived and laughed as she committed all to You

These matters that really shaped her life to fully trust in You

I thank You Lord for the gift of being a friend and a dear sister to me.

She taught me to be true to one’s commitment til the very end.

I’ll never fully comprehend why you took her home this early

as we could have more years together to make our dreams a reality.

Thank you even if it pains us to see her go…

even if we sure would miss her presence in our lives…

You have given her relief from the excruciating disease which sapped her strength and deprived her of enjoying her retirement years.

We cannot fathom your wisdom Lord, but we do thank You for the life of Manang Babie.

Lord thank You very much!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on