Deliverance – Conrado de Quiros

The given article of Conrado de Quiros on a Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled Deliverance was about the encounters of a Police Vietnamese immigrant in Fukushima, with a 9-year old Japanese boy. Not too long ago, The Vietnam war had affected millions of lives for over a decade, A massive human cost of death and countless injuries, physically and mentally. Vietnam was scorched by napalm, dead bodies were scattered everywhere. And now, if we would look at how Vietnam has made it, it spontaneously survived the war times. People understood the concept of sacrifice for the greater good.

Our own version of Christianity has only taught us selfishness. The very purpose of living an upright life, or a facsimile thereof?there are always the sacraments to wipe off sin?is to save ourselves, or our souls from the burning fires of hell. On the occasions we are compelled to, we part with land, with money, with children (for the priesthood) to buy a berth in heaven?but never up to the point that it becomes painful or inconvenient. We do not do things for others or sacrifice for others (other than family) simply because it is the right thing to do, because it is the only thing to do. Because, despite our desolation, there are others more desolate. Because, despite our loss, there are others who lost more. Because, despite our hunger, there are others hungrier.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Death is just another transition that we all must take in our lifetime. It shouldn’t be a time of depression and sadness, it should be a time of celebration and gathering. I like to think that when a person leads a good life, their soul will move on to a better place. It’s hard to lose a loved one I’m not saying that it’s easy, but trying to cope with the pain positively can make a big difference in how you are affected. Everyone will experience losing someone their close to at some point. It’s our job to invest time and love into every relationship that we may form. If my loved ones that I’ve lost have moved on to a better place, then how can I be sad about that. We can all learn how to accept reality and move on, some of us just can’t take it that simple.