I am Resurrección

When I hear the word “resurrection,” I think of my father. It’s not because he died a few years ago. Until I was a teenager, I had always thought that I was named after him. Rex, son of Rex Botengan. But Rex was his nickname. He took the name Rex, which was shortened from what he was called in his hometown. They called him “Surec,” but his given name was Resurrección.

He was an accomplished person in many respects. He emigrated from the Philippines and established a successful business. He was active in the Episcopal Church and helped to found Holy Trinity & St. Benedict Church in Alhambra. Naturally, though, he had his faults. And there were times when his shortcomings could have undone, and did undo, many of his achievements.

Fortunately for him, for me, and everyone, the balance of a person’s accomplishments and failures are not put on a measuring scale to determine if we deserve everlasting life. The hope of the resurrection is given freely to everyone: it is a gift and not a reward. It is an example of divine mercy that hopefully teaches us to be merciful, a profound act of forgiveness so that we can also be forgiving.

It has been nearly two decades since he died. I find comfort that the same God who accompanied him here is with him now, and that the same God that walks with him walks with me too.

Prayer

Gracious God and Everlasting Companion, you stretch out your hands and invite us to accompany you forever. Walk with us and talk with us as we go toward places only you know. Help us mirror your immeasurable kindness by holding out our hands to help others. May we be worthy of being co-heirs with the one who says, “I am the Resurrection and the life.”

Rex Botengan

Rex Botengan (the younger) is a member of the Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel. He held various positions at the church’s outreach ministry, Our Saviour Center, for 25 years and was its Executive Director from 2012-2017.