I took a trip to California to share my love with the Sabillo family as they mourned for the loss of Eric - the father of Brian, Mark and Rachel and the husband of my closest first cousin, Venie Ochoada Sabillo. Life was cut short for this beloved person, and those who are left behind have to contend with life and living without him. If any comfort and consolation, the presence of Eric is left in the hearts of those who love him.

In the midst of all the crying and the mourning because of his death, I believe that the same Lord who wept with Mary and Martha (when their brother Lazarus died), wept with Venie and her children and the rest of those who love Eric. The Lord is not an unfeeling God, in fact, His love is more real than ours and He felt specially the pain of the children as well as the wife who will now learn to live without Eric by their side. He loves the Sabillos more than we love them. He loves us more than we love ourselves because He is the author of love and the giver of love. In fact, God is love.

There are no words of comfort that one can give to really alleviate such loss. Often, the love inside of us couldn’t speak any words of comfort, so that love translates into action and action is more apt and effective for such an occasion. In fact, love is action. Perhaps a kiss, a prayer for the bereaved, a help extended, a hug, a comforting look or smile, even an occasional laughter to break the monotony of grief. All these shall remind us that love goes on and life can go on, too. God’s love abounds and is shown concretely through people around us and through all of creation itself.  But if we check within, the Father’s love is also real and concrete. He is close to us. And this is the most reassuring love ever. God loves us and has a wonderful plan for each one of us - to prosper us; to give us hope and a future. Everyday, He has a vast sum of loving thoughts for us because He is a caring God.

The message of the gospel or the good news is that God loves us so much that He sent His Son as our (assurance of) salvation and as THE WAY to Heaven. This should be the reassuring message of those who claim to be leaders of faith in God and of those who claim to be His children. God, being the Perfect One that He is, has already laid down the perfect plan of salvation for us so that we be assured of our eternal destiny. In His own words, Jesus has put forth what can bring us to heaven for sure.

No, it is not the praying for the dead for this is not a perfect plan nor is God’s way to heaven. (Until when will you be praying for them - where is the assurance here? And Jesus did not ask us to pray for the dead but to believe the good news). No, it is not doing good works (Until which point you have enough works in order for you to go to heaven?) . No, it is not having done more good deeds than bad deeds (for God cannot be mocked by you intentionally doing more good deeds than bad, thereby justifying yourself before God) . Rather, it is the good news that God has provided a way for us to go to heaven and be saved from eternal damnation. Jesus died for our sins so that we may have eternal life. And Jesus says that it is by believing in Him; by believing in His atoning work (that brings forgiveness to us, sinners) on the cross through the shedding of His blood. Our faith in Jesus is the saving faith. Our Lord Jesus the CHRIST is THE WAY...the only way to Heaven and the only way to God the Father. We cannot add or subtract from his finished work. Remember, he said, "It is finished." Period.

Receive Christ as your Lord and Savior today. As you do, he wants you to repent of your sins and turn over your life to Him who makes all things possible, even your dwelling rights & privileges in Heaven. God bless you.

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (NIV)

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)

5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"  6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

1 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (NKJV)

15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (NIV)

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (NIV)

31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (NIV)

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (NIV)