THE STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A DYING MOTHer who told her children: ?When I die, have me cremated, and have my ashes scattered all over the mall.? When asked why, she answered: ?In that way, I will be assured that you will remember me and visit me once in a while.?

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Today is a day for remembering, and for those who can, this is a day for visiting the resting place of our departed loved ones. Today, too, is a day for remembering that we are all called to become saints. Yes, there is eternal life. There is glory beyond the grave.

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In today?s Gospel (Mt. 5, 1-12) Jesus shows to us the road to take so that we will not be mere souls, but saints. The road is the road of the ?Beatitudes.? Take time today to check the road you are taking, and the life you are living. Do you experience poverty in spirit, mourning, meekness? Is there righteousness, mercy and purity of heart, peace, or persecution in your life? Then, ?Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven!?

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This world will tell you that the ?Beatitudes? is a weird, even a stupid, teaching. Why be poor? Be rich! Why mourn? Enjoy! Why be meek? Be proud! Why be righteous? Be wise! Why be merciful? Get even! Why be clean of heart? Just don?t get caught! Why be a peacemaker? Who cares! Why be persecuted? Fight back! Follow the world, and you will have fleeting peace. Follow the ?Beatitudes,? and you will have true peace, that peace which the world cannot give, nor take away. It?s your call. It?s your choice.

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I visited former Abra Gov. Vicsyd Valera last Tuesday in the crowded Quezon City jail to break the news that his father, Jose, himself a former Abra governor, had passed away at the age of 93. It was a different Vicsyd I met. Here was a man who took the news with peace, equanimity and submission to God?s will. Deprived of worldly comfort and security, he has found peace, comfort and security in God?s will and mercy. What he said when we parted struck me: ?It?s so painful I could not even be there at the deathbed of my father, but here all I can do is to really pray for him with all my heart and soul, something which, perhaps, I would not and I could not do if I was still in power.?

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When one takes the road of the ?Beatitudes,? a lot of deprivations and persecutions will be encountered. Expect that, but expect, too, many untold graces and blessings on that road?and peace, which this world will not understand, nor care to listen to.

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?It?s just a matter of time,? All Souls? Day is a timely reminder for all of us that, sooner or later, we all will die. Yes, the journey will come to an end someday. Just when is not for us to say. What matters is not the miles behind, nor the wealth in our hands, but the love and the peace we carry in our hearts. Hello! You who are so engrossed in making more money, and in charting and cementing corridors of power, are you listening?

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For those who are so focused on ?image,? it would be good for you to reflect today: ?What will people say about me after I die?? For those who are surrounded by cheer leaders, entertainers and jesters, remember, too, that your so-called staff and entourage will not be there for you once your power and money are gone. The bottom line is: ?What will God tell you when you finally come face-to-face with Him??

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We have had our share of national calamities recently and one can?t help but pray: Lord, enough! Please, no more sufferings for our people who are already suffering. How much more can we take! And yet, somehow we are still here and we are still on our feet. Where is our strength, as a nation, coming from? The ?Beatitudes? helps us to be resilient, hopeful and patient. But, the ?Beatitudes? should also lead us to move on. The ?Beatitudes? should lead us to become not only reactive but also proactive.

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In our earthly journey we encounter all sorts of people. Some are sinners. Some are saints. Many of us are not big-time sinners and definitely not saints. What should keep us humble and hopeful is the thought that there is no sinner without a future, and that there is no sinner without a past.

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All Souls? Day should remind us that we have a soul. All Saints? Day should remind us that we are all called to holiness, and that we all are potential saints.

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Some storms exit fast. Some storms linger on. One thing sure is, storms end. Another thing that?s sure, too: Whatever kind of life you are living, it will end. Enjoy life now, or invest in eternity, which is waiting. It?s your call. It?s your choice.

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The CD of Fatima Soriano titled ?Journey to the Heart? is now available at SM Record Bars, in digital format. The songs can be downloaded online (visit www.starrecords.ph). Please consider Fatima?s CD, and my latest book ?Meaningful Moments? (at National Bookstores) as gifts/giveaways this Christmas, and help our Filipino missionaries abroad. Thank you.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to remember that I have a soul and that heaven is my final destination. Amen.