Ubi enim sunt duo vel tres congregati in nomine meo ibi sum in medio eorum

Matthew 18:20

"For", Jesus says, "where two or three are gathered in my name,

there am I in the midst of them".

This biblical verse is understood of such assemblies gathered in the name and authority of Christ and in unity of the Church.

6am this morning, I got a text message.

Good am.  Pls pray for my dad.  He’s in the ICU now.  May God grant him healing and strength.  I love my dad!.. Pls pray also for my Mom.  She’s so confused.  May God guide her also.  Lakas ng loob para kay mommy.  I love my mom.. God bless.

God bless.

I scrolled down till I saw the name of the sender.  Ohh a brother in SFC-Amadeo who happened to be my neighbor.  One thing my mind could remember was that I whispered this very short prayer. “Lord, take care of the one’s asking prayers”.  And I went back to sleep.

It has been a well-known tradition for all of us in Singles for Christ to pray for one another and ask one another to pray for themselves and for special intentions. 

I woke up again and went straight to the bathroom to get myself ready to work.  I heard my phone beeped again.

7:27am after taking the bath, I opened the message sent by the same sender.  But this time, it’s different.

Hi.  Thanks sa prayers.  Continue praying.. Wala na dad ko.  Di nga ako mniwala sa text ni mommy na iniwan na kami ni Dad.  God bless bro/sis.

I sat down holding the cell, still in shock… tried twice or thrice to read the message once again. I even asked myself if I was just dreaming…

“God… it can really happen so quickly.  Life can just be taken just like that? Whatta Sudden death… Dr. Benny.”

Death is not the only reason why I posted this.  More importantly, I want to pose this question:

In the midst of sudden loss and at the time you are grieving, would you be as composed as the one who sent this?  Do you think your mind can assume such very calm words to even wish other people to be blessed?  What a peaceful heart and mind.  I thank God that He could haven’t saved the life of his dad, he granted my prayer to take care of the one’s asking prayers.  He took care of Bro. Niño's heart.

Let us all pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Dr. Benildo “Benny” Ramos.  May his soul rest in peace and may God be with his family for strength and compassion at the time of grieving.

Our family wishes to extend our deep condolences to the family whom we treated as such. 

"For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst."