Today, uncle Bernard was laid to rest. The story of his last two days I found really amazing, that even his children, my cousins Marie & Bernie, were in great awe upon realizing the developments before he breathed his last. I'll recall, to the best of my memory, the story told by my cousins to the relatives present, before uncle was buried...
For years, uncle Bernard has been a vocal critic of our faith, the Iglesia Ni Cristo. He engages into loud debates with family, and sometimes with our auntie Joy (his sister-in-law.) I should know since we all live in one house when we were kids. It was a usual scenario at home and we have all grown to tolerate that set-up. Interestingly, the Children's Worship Service (Pagsamba Ng Kabataan) is held in our house--- an ancestral home inherited by the family of Lolo Felising & Lola Naty. During pagsamba day, uncle Bernard prepares the things to be used, ahead of the officers. Then he cleans the house after it has been used. That's his weekly routine. For many years he has been Catholic, then he eventually joined another faith--- Ang Dating Daan, which is equally a vocal critic of the INC. Uncle Bernard's health deteriorated as he suffered from kidney problems. For a while he will feel all right but most of the time he endures pain. Then two days before his passing, a thing we can consider a miracle just flashed before his family's eyes. His family talked to him about joining the INC while he still was able. He got mad and said something against the INC, much more to the Church Administration. So the family did not force the issue again. That same day, as his diaper was being changed, my cousin noticed that uncle Bernard wasn't moving already. They thought he passed out and he was in a state of coma. Before they were able to take him to the hospital, their church minister knocked on the door and was looking for my other cousin. Right then and there, they asked for a prayer for uncle Bernard, bearing the faith of the family. Incredibly even before the prayer ended, my cousin Marie felt a hand suddenly held her foot. After the prayer, they found out that uncle Bernard gained consciousness and was able to mobilize his hands. Then he asked them if he is already willing to embrace the INC faith... he surprisingly answered "yes." The minister repeated the question to make sure my uncle was already fully conscious, and asked if he is willing to undergo the Bible study and finish listening to the basic doctrines--- a prerequisite for baptism inside the church. To their disbelief, he again said "yes." So the minister arranged for his Bible study. My nephew, who is a church worker, conducted his continuous lessons so they can finish right away. At the end of each lesson, he asks, "Papa, anong likas na kalagayan ng ating Panginoong JesuCristo?" Uncle Bernard will immediately reply "tao." "Siya ba ay Diyos," my nephew will ask, then uncle will respond "hindi sya Diyos." Papa, bakit gusto mong mag-Iglesia Ni Cristo?" Uncle Bernard would reply, "dahil gusto kong maligtas." In one instance, my nephew told his lolo, "Papa, mananalangin na tayo ha?" Uncle candidly replied "Paano yan, di ko kayang tumayo?" Then cousin Marie told him that he just needed to close his eyes and answer during the prayer. Right then and there, he shut his eyes and got ready for the prayer. Uncle, for some occasions, even reminded his wife, Auntie Tet that they are attending pagsamba, and that they dress up early. The family wrote to the Church Administration requesting to facilitate baptism for uncle Bernard, citing his condition. A day after, my cousin Marie was called by the district minister to inform her that their letter was already recieved by the Church Administration. Uncle Bernard passed away before he was to receive baptism, but his faith amazingly took a 180-degrees turn before he breathed his last. That testimony awed us all this afternoon as it was related to us.
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| final destination |
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| cousins with Auntie Joy (extreme right) |
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| Relatives present at the burial |
Other than the sad event this day, it was a delight to see once again my relatives. We normally reunite once a year during Auntie Joy's birthday which is ideally on the 30th of December--- a good time to wrap up the year as well. But during these times, I always realize that I am thankful for having great relatives, both mother & father side. Our families are close-knit, and I am just grateful for that. Our grandparents have played a great role in upbringing all of us, treating each other as one big happy family all together.
Meanwhile, I have posted earlier in my Facebook timeline, my memory of Uncle Bernard:
