PIETAS

Susan’s father passed away on October 28, 1997, just a few months before our wedding. On Saturday morning, my family of four and a sister-in-law made our annual trip to his resting place. We took a bus from the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, met Susan’s sister, drove to Paramus, paid our respect, sang one of his favorite hymns, read a passage from the book of Romans and walked around amid colorful trees under gray sky. At one point during our trip, Andrew took this short video of his mother and sister.

It saddens me to know how much Susan’s father would have enjoyed playing with Andrew and watching him (as well as Emma and his other grandchildren) grow. Especially since both of them love baseball and Yankees. And, I myself regret not having the opportunity to learn more about him and his life experience. Plus, it would have been great to discuss our theological understandings and our faith in Christ.

The passage I read to my father-in-law as my tribute was Romans 5:1-5.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

And, we sang to him these words.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.