To a mother and her son

My dear friends in Christ, I know this is a very difficult time for the family to face the death of their beloved. Even I myself find it difficult to say something to ease the pain which the tragic death of Emily and John Carlo brought to the living members of the family. The family home which is used to be the most peaceful place for the family to build their dreams is desecrated. How can we say now "there is no place like home" when the tragic death happened at home just like any crime happening out there in the street? What is the excitement now in going home when there is no one to welcome anybody there? Every time Arnold or during the time when John Earl left home to work at sea, I believe Emily, as a wife and as a mother would not only bid farewell but also wish Arnold and her son to take care or to be careful. Usually, we tell those  people we love who are in a journey to take care of themselves until they get back home. But Emily and John Carlo's case makes us realize that we have to take care of ourselves even at home. The family home cannot always be safe nowadays. Does this not bring fear to some of us if not all? Although this seems to be an isolated case, it can still happen to anyone of us as it happened to one of us. Worse, it is not only the tranquility of the home that is desecrated, but the desecration itself is being justified. Being in poverty becomes an excuse to desecrate a home. Being a person with physically disability is an excuse to desecrate a home. Being at the height of one's passion because of an insult becomes an excuse to desecrate a home. Well, if one can make this as an excuse to desecrate a home, then we allow a criminal act to be exhorted. We allow to make public sympathy and not the justice system solve crimes! My dear friends, we should not forget that "the end does not justify the means." There is no excuse in a crime where lives are taken. There is no higher right than the right to life! A prisoner can take back his liberty after sometime, but never can we bring back Emily and John Carlo to life. In a case like this, I remember the late Cardinal Sin who said, "Justice without mercy is unchristian; but mercy without justice is kalokohan." My dear friends, I do not say we have to condemn the person who desecrated the family home of Emily. Rather, we have to hate the sin but not the sinner. Let us allow the court of Justice to weigh everything and decide for the sake of justice. Arnold and John Earl, after the burial of Emily and John Carlo today, you may extremely feel the pain of losing them. But never lose your hope to live as you still have each other. You may be tempted to nurture anger in your heart, think of revenge or feel bad about everything, but you can choose never to allow such one man destroy your goodness. I myself could testify how good Emily was as a person and people who know you could testify how good you are. You do not have to prove it to the world because our mere presence here can prove your goodness. To the family of Emily, do not let your love for Emily and John Carlo be overwhelmed by hatred caused by one man. Be united in love because it is during this troubled time that you need each other as a family. Let not this tragic event divide you but unite you. To all of us here to offer our prayers for Emily and John Carlo, we include in our prayers the living members of Emily and John Carlo's family. May they have the courage to face the loss of their loved ones. To Emily and John Carlo, I believe your souls are still in our midst. I know you have unfinished business here on earth. I know you have broken dreams due to your untimely demise. But we cannot turn back the time human as we are. Emily and John Carlo be at peace with God. Go now because it is only God who can give you peace which we could not give this time. Listen to Jesus who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).  Eternal rest unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. May they rest in peace. amen.