COVID 19, EASTER ’20: DYING AND RISING OF HUMAN EXISTENCE MADE MANIFEST
by Celes A. Gianan, DD, PhD
TO EXIST IS TO DIE. Human existence can not escape the REALITY of DYING, that is, that of being annihilated, that of being extinguished, that of passing away, that of ceasing, that of losing, that of emptying, that of decreasing and other manifestations synonymous to dying. Dying takes a variety of forms. Dying manifests itself in diverse fashion.
COVID 19 has brought to human consciousness this PANDEMIC SCENARIO of the REALITY OF DYING seen in a variety of forms. Faced with the outbreak and breakthrough of COVID 19, the world has witnessed dying in its various forms. Human lives were annihilated and extinguished. There has been a cessation of operations in commerce and industry. Closures of churches, establishments and institutions happened and done. Passing away of good memories of families, friends, and relatives is being felt. Emptying of resources both personal and communal, local and national has taken and is taking place. Decreasing of opportunities for food and relief goods and other forms of assistance is made evident. Losing sight of what is to come and how things are to come in days ahead is obviously observed. For a number of us, human beings, perhaps, phasing out of faith in God is gradually taking place. Yes, indeed, TO EXIST IS TO DIE.
TO EXIST IS TO RISE. EASTER means RISING. The term EASTER is derived from the word “EAST” where the sun RISES. It is to this connection that the term EASTER gets and connotes the concept of RISING in reference to the RESURRECTION of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ resurrected to sustain the DEFINITIVE REDEMPTION He has brought to the world which He did ONCE FOR ALL, that is, ONCE for ALL PEOPLES, ONCE in ALL PLACES, ONCE at ALL TIMES.
EASTER ’20 comes in time with the ongoing outbreak and breakthrough of COVID 19. It comes to the world bringing into our consciousness a PANORAMIC VIEW that occasions us see the VITALITY of RISING. It comes to us with a reminder that TO EXIST IS TO RISE.
EASTER ’20 comes to us, human beings, bringing into our consciousness the POWER that we have been, are, and shall always be in possession of by virtue of our natural and spiritual birth. It comes to us telling us of the importance and relevance of this POWER. It comes to us instructing us to utilize and maximize this POWER both in good times and in bad times for us to RISE UP and be over and above these circumstances especially in these trying spaces and crying times which COVID 19 has situated us.
EASTER ’20 comes to us in the face of COVID 19 empowering us to RISE UP and be of great help to ALL regardless of race and color, religious beliefs and church affiliations, political and economic status, educational upbringing and industrial preoccupations, geographical and jurisdictional boundaries, sinners and saints, if we may call it.
This POWER, which is the very same power God had used to RAISE His begotten Son, Jesus Christ, UP from the dead and brought Him sitted at His right, empowers us to GO and share what we have, help people GROW in their faith in the One and Triune God as we do likewise so as to let GLOW their LIVING HOPE as well as our LIVING HOPE as we all live out the essence of human existence.
Congratulations to all of our CIVIL GOVERNMENTS throughout and in the world for powerfully using such POWER to combat and eradicate the calamities and tragedies COVID 19 has inflicted to the global populace and to radically phase out COVID 19 itself to and for the benefit of ALL!
Congratulations to all CHURCHES and RELIGIONS in the world for exercising such POWER in prayer and in action to the strenghtening of our FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE in the midst of the spread of CORONA VIRUS.
Congratulations to ALL FRONTLINERS whom the WORLD considers, with the OPTIMUM and MAXIMUM degree of GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION, as FELLOW WORKERS of the STATE AND CHURCH, AMBASSADORS OF GOOD WILL, DEFENDERS OF THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO LIVE, FIGHTERS AGAINST THE FORCES DESTRUCTIVE OF LIFE, BELIEVERS AND PROPAGATORS OF THE DIGNITY OF MAN … YOU ARE GREAT ASSETS TO THE WORLD SENT BY GOD, THE FATHER OF ALL, OVER ALL, THROUGH ALL, AND IN ALL.
Congratulations to ALL OF US who have COMPLIED with the DIRECTIVES and ORDINANCES of the civil governments and who have JOINED churches and religions IN PRAYER and IN ACTION.
This is the TRUTH OF OUR HUMAN EXISTENCE. Blessed are we who have explored, exposed, and experienced the REALITY OF DYING and the VITALITY OF RISING. God loves us all.
drcelamgia_phd, Founding Disciple, CENTER FOR FAITH AND REASON