Honoring God’s Kindred Souls

Honoring someone is a gesture of gratitude and remembering. We bring to memory our grateful appreciation of what a person has achieved or did during his or her lifetime. Even secular and cause-oriented or religious groups are honored because of certain individuals whose lives transcend beyond its work into the spirit and purpose of their corporate vision. To recognize someone is personal. Such remembrance is certainly not just for the credit they deserve but for what they mean for us now.

We honor the departed. When we commemorate in August the lives of saints, St. Julian Eymard, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, St. Monica, St. John Vianney or St. Ignatius of Loyola among others, we recall not just what they accomplished but what they allowed themselves to become: instruments in God’s hands. In them, we discern God’s providence, mercy, and generosity. Thus, in their humanity, God’s closeness, and care for others shine the brightest. More importantly, they challenge us to reckon these divine qualities in our lives and emulate.

We also honor the living. Mother Theresa of Calcutta was already considered a saint while she was alive! There are still in our midst, living and even those in their golden years, whom we revere for their dedication, devotion, and determination to pursue their vocation in the humble service for and selfless care of others. We can see it among some of our doctors, nurses, and health workers whose herculean and selfless efforts save thousands of lives during this pandemic. Many even perished in doing so. Moreover, they show us that more than just doing a job, they epitomize faith and personal care to not just heal the sick but console and comfort them in their suffering. We thank God for them as we continue to pray for their lives.

Finally, we honor our elderly. Many of our elderly deserve the credit of our praise. Against the modern perception that they are no longer productive or useful to society due to their declining health condition, Pope Francis does not consider them “left-overs” and “throwaways”. On January 25, 2021, during the launch of World Day of Grandparents and Elderly, the Pope said, “The Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts and many words of wisdom in the elderly today.” He added, “Their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples,” he continued. “They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.” The Pope cited his grandmother, Rosa, as critical to his priestly vocation. “It was my grandmother who taught me to pray… She taught me a lot about faith and told me stories about the saints.”

In our lives, we remember the departed and the living. We honor those who did not just improve the quality of life but, more importantly, the purpose of living our gifted and “giving” life. Every life is God given and every life is meant to be given away for the greater good of many. I still see that in my elderly religious and priests who despite their age and health continue their ministry with love and care. I still see that in many grandparents and aging parents who continue to counsel and inspire their children and grandchildren about resilience and fortitude in tough times. I remember an elderly priest whenever I feel depressed over this pandemic about courage and hope of their generation surviving World War II.

The saints, the religious and medical frontliner “heroes” and “heroines”, the elderly deserve our remembrance of gratitude. They mirror God’s abiding presence and loving kindness. Like all of us, they struggle with their faults and flaws, yet – unlike some of us, they respond to these failures with remorse, humility, and openness to the Lord’s grace, and move on to their newly found mission of service with glad and humble surrender. If you remember someone who passed away or meet an elderly parent or relative, a health worker or, perhaps, your former catechist or teacher, don’t hesitate to honor and say, “Thank you!”. Indeed, gratitude is a memory of the heart that honors God in kindred souls.