On March 15 this year, my longtime friend Sr. Paul died of cancer. Last three years, she had suffered from colon cancer with a couple of surgeries and chemos. Last four months, she couldn’t eat or drink anything. We talked about death often. She said, “God has shown me so much that I am ready to leave. My great expectation to see God will be fulfilled. It is grace to know one’s vocation on earth. God has guided me to find my vocation and I live it now…My vocation is cancer. For this, I am sent. It is given to me. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t take it. But, since it is given, I have been faithful. With grace of God, I want to do my best to the end.”
Jesus like Bishop Oscar Romero and Sr. Paul knew what it meant to go on his journey up to Jerusalem. He said, “I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33).
Jesus’ heart goes on because he has passion, passion for God’s promise to give life to all human being. So he freely takes the passion, the suffering and death. So did Oscar Romero and Sr. Paul have passion, passion for God’s love because it can touch us one time and last for a lifetime and never let go till we’re gone. God is here, there is nothing we fear. Our heart will go on and on. (The Song “My Heart Will Go On” is to follow.)