Rev Francisco BilogMatthew 25:21,23
Friends and brethren, we have found our way to this place for a particular reason. We have come because we respected and honored our friend now departed, as associate, friend, neighbor or member of an intimate family circle. We are grateful for him and our lives are far richer for his stay among us. We pay tribute to him and to what he meant to us all. It was good that he moved among us. Our community and our personal lives have been blessed for the years that he was here.
This is so, because to many of us, his life has been an inspiration. And to those who knew him well, they knew that Mr. Cruz can easily say with St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give at that day. And not just to me, but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to his coming back again.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
In fact the words he used are these: “Pastor, I believed I have to go. I am ready. Please pray for me.” A few days after that, after enjoying the beauty of the morning and in prayer lifted up his wish unto the Lord, he returned to his bed and departed our world peacefully.
Of course his departure will bring him back home to our creator. I am sure that our God will welcome him with these the words:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of larger amounts. Come on in and share my happiness.”
What a fitting commendation and tribute to our brother, tatay, and Mr. Benedicto Cruz. No other priceless reward and recognition can be desired than that of which God can give.
It is a reward for eternity, and a joy that no other else can give.
What is in the life of Mr. Benedicto Cruz that deserves this heavenly commendation? The Lord himself mentioned it: “You good and faithful servant!”
The goodness in the life of Mr. Cruz that is spoken of refers to his love, kindness, forgiving humility, patience, compassionate, industry and service. And yet, the Holy Scripture tells us that these characteristics are the fruits of the Spirit of God working in us. This implies then that for the Spirit of God to dwell and bear fruit in Mr. Cruz life he had to surrender his life to the Lord. Such fruits in his life grew because Mr. Cruz is a man of faith.
His faith in God was planted in his life by his parents, the Rev. Esteban T. Cruz and his God fearing mother, Severina Vizcarra. He grew up in the parsonage and knew the value of frugality and industry. While his father was busy preaching and attending to the spiritual and temporal needs of his flock, his mother, cared, molded, trained and disciplined all the seven children in the family. He once told me that he is the black sheep of the family. I can only guess what he meant, but soonest after finishing his education degree he left his family, turning his back from the allurement, comfort and opportunities in Manila, he accepted a teaching job in the frontiers of Davao Oriental, particularly the Municipality of Bagangga on 1951. Many would have considered such a rash decision as like the prodigal son, or a type of a hard-headed black sheep attitude.
Now the second description Jesus used to describe the good man is this: “Faithful servant.” The faithfulness spoken here is his fidelity to the purposes and plan of God for his life. God has planned that he should spend his life and gift in teaching and educating the children, especially those in the barrios of Mindanao. While others dream of working in Manila, he prefers to work in the far flung rural areas of Mindanao. You can just imagine the difficulty and loneliness of working in such a place. To Mr. Cruz the difficulties were seen as challenges and the loneliness looked at as being at peace.
His faithfulness was not only seen in his dedication as a classroom teacher, but also took opportunity to develop himself professionally thus after completing his Master’s Degree in Education he started to grew up the ladder of his profession. He soon because Principal in Bagganga and in Sta.
Cruz, Davao Del Sur. Such efficiency and faithfulness to his calling brought him opportunities to become Supervisor for Private Schools in 1960 and five years before he retired he became Schools Division Superintendent of DECS Region XI, 1983-1987. He spent most of his life in his vocation, teaching and the world of education, an assignment God has given him.
His retirement from his much loved profession, brought him back to a familiar ground, the church and its ministry. The black sheep and prodigal son has come home to his church in a more full time service.
The following possession he held in the church after his retirement from DECS bears witness to his dedication and faithfulness to the church that he loved:
Chairperson, of the Council on Finance and Administration of The East
Mindanao Philippines Annual Conference, from 1993-1996.
Chairperson, Church Council of the Davao Central United Methodist
Church, 1993-1999.
Sunday School Teacher for Adults, DCUMC from 1992 until his death.
Delegate to the Philippines Central Conference, the highest body of the
United Methodist church here in the Phil.- 1996.
It was during his term as Chairperson of the Church Council that the following was started and or initiated:
Mission work in Calinan and the organization of a house church in Toril;
Started the construction of this building with great faith and little seed- money of just three hundred thousand pesos.
Ten hectares of Agricultural land was bought in Lepara, Magsaysay and
was develop as agricultural tree and mango fruit farm.
It is unfortunate however, that he could not wait to depart before this church construction would be finish. He departing with faith that his church would be finished by our faithfulness, the kind of faithfulness he has shown us by his witness and example.
Mr. Cruz’ faithfulness to God and his church has been exemplary, though, this last year has been very trying on his part. In spite of the sickness that had been trying him, he continued to be active till the end. He died on his boots as the soldiers say it. He was able to do his work because he understood very well that life is servant hood to God and people.
No wonder, he found favor in God’s sight, as the Scripture says: “Seventy years is all we have, 80 years if we are strong.” Ps. 90:10; 91:16. This means very clearly that God has rewarded him with 8 years favor beyond the maximum of the best number of years that men can have.
Take notice very carefully, that God said: “Come on in, share in my happiness.” Here God speaks of a present and future happiness.
Present because Mr. Cruz was rewarded the joy and happiness of seeing the fruits of his loving sacrifices in the life of his family, friends and the church. Yes, he found satisfaction and joy in the Lord knowing that he is leaving his family in the best state of life that they can be. He contributed much to their success. He is leaving this world in peace and with contentment.
He will also enjoy and share in the future happiness with God, knowing that by departing this world he would be resting from all his labors and trials. He would also be staying with Jesus in the mansion he has prepared for him in the life everlasting.
Wow! What a reward! What a commendation!
Brother Benedicto Cruz is going there to receive the joys of the Lord. Let us thank and bless the Lord for what God has done in his life to deserve such priceless gift.
John Wesley puts this recognition and thanksgiving of life in a poem and hymn, “Servant of God, Well Done!”
Servant of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare’s past:
The battle’s fought, the race is won;
and thou art crown at last.
With saints enthroned on high,
Thou dost thy Lord proclaim,
And still to God salvation cry,
Salvation to the lamb.
Oh happy, happy soul!
In ecstacies of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll,
Thou seest thy Savior’s face,
Redeemed from earth and pain,
Ah! When shall we ascend,
And all in Jesus’ presence reign.
Through ages without end. Amen.