“Eternal rest grant unto him, Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.” This is the prayer we hear every time we pray for the souls of our departed loved ones.
Last, June 20, 2019, the Christian burial of Bro. Romeo Salud took place at CHC Morgue Chapel. Bishop Ryan and Fr. Kent, accompanied by church volunteers Marcy Cepeda, Anamae Adasa, Ray and the CHC CEO Ester Muna and staff, Tom Palacios, the Mayors office, Public Works officials and Public health facilitated all preparations of the said event. Bro. Romeo Salud is a Filipino citizen who passed away last April 5, 2019. Since his death, the Philippine consulate had tried to locate his relatives in the Philippines but was unable to get in touch with them.
Months before he passed away, Bro. Romeo had fallen ill and lost his memory and mental capability. Because of this, he became homeless. The Church became then his place of refuge and home. Bishop Ryan, in his homily, emphasized that God never rejects anyone. Though Bro. Romeo was homeless and unclean, he continued to go to Church and the Church accepted and welcomed him.
In the Church, we are taught about the corporal works of mercy– feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the prisoners, providing ransom for captives, burying the dead– which all reflect the words of Jesus’ teaching.
Mathew 25:31-46 says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit upon His glorious throne and all the nations will be assembled before Him. And He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. ’When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Last June 20, 2019, the Church embraced a corporal works of mercy by burying our Bro. Romeo Salud. This day served as a testament of God’s grace and mercy. It revealed that even if no one claims the human body, God never rejects anyone who calls upon His name. Heaven awaits our dear Bro. Romeo. Heaven is our home.
