A snapshot of the true story:  Brass Serpent

My father died in 1977. A memory of his death still lingers on my mind. In fact, in my book entitled “Life and Death its humor and sorrows,” I look at his death as my own “Brass Serpent.”

Since we are the image and likeness of God (from a Christian’s perspective) we are literally another Christ. We have within ourselves a “Brass Serpent.”

Is a “Brass Serpent” a conscience that we do not own? The late Pope John Paul II said, “A conscience is a sanctuary where a man speaks to God alone.”

What happens to my conscience if I do not speak to God alone? Is it not reduced to mere voices of “whinnying, prattling, or just awful silence,” as it is presented in this article?

I do not know how to expose my own “Brass Serpent,” the Christ in me (if there is any). I cannot tell you the story as it happened because by doing so the suspense, the flavor of the story might be lost in the unwrapping of the “Brass Serpent.”

Suffice it to say, I could relate to you how he died. How a holy and good man died. All his life was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and he died as it was promised that he would have a confession, receive Holy Communion and an anointing. What’s more he died on Friday, April 17, 1975.

We were all present; 12 of us children, when he was about to pass away in the early morning. At the mouth death, it seemed he could not die without some sort of a message.

I went first: he touched me and waived me aside. I was the wrong person. The next brother did and so on the line. Not one got his message or what he wanted. Papa was blind at his deathbed. We wondered what he wanted.

I looked at my mother and she was downcast in prayer, praying her favorite rosary. We asked her to go to Papa. But the moment he touched Mama he knew it was her.

With all his remaining strength, he embraced her against the icy coldness of death that was going through his entire body. Then, he fell back and gave up his soul. And he appeared in great peace.

All the furrows on his forehead due to the hardship of life, raising 13 children as a teacher, merchant and a farmer disappeared. He looked so handsome in death and so peaceful.

We could not cry, even if we tried to. Instead, we stood up and sang, a hymn to the Mother of Jesus, “Immaculate mother we come up at thy call...”

As I left the room I knew my father was free at last to journey into that Promised Land where few travelers have returned to tell the beauty of the place.

I remembered what Dylan Thomas said about his own father and I repeated it by saying, “My beloved father, go gently into that good night.”

The book, “Life and Death, its humor and sorrows” recommended for public reading by our Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations, Hon. Hilario Davide Jr., is available in eight outlets of the “Central Bookstore” (exclusive distributor) throughout the Philippines. In Cebu, it is located at GV Bldg. P. del Rosario St. Price: P225/copy. All proceeds with be donated to the Missionaries of the Poor and the EWTN network.