The bond of love
IT has been a difficult Holy Week – the nation lost one of its most illustrious sons – Karpal Singh – in an automobile accident which also took the life of his loyal personal assistant Michael Cornelius.
Known as the Tiger of Jelutong, Karpal Singh was a towering fighter for justice and human rights. He was an unyielding force for the rights of all.
A leader has paid this apt tribute: “Karpal had helped to expand and define the constitutional rights and freedom of people.”
That includes freedom of religion in Malaysia with his iconic quote – An Islamic state over my dead body – in his resistance to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.
While we are still searching for an answer to and praying for a miracle regarding the disappearance of MH370, a ferry carrying 459 people – mostly school students – sank off South Korea with 28 confirmed dead and 268 still missing at press time.
Yes, why Karpal? Why these young students?
Death came, saw and conquered. It always does, prompting George Bernard Shaw to write: “The statistics on death are quite impressive. One out of one people die.”
But what about those who live on? There shall be indescribable sorrow, disillusionment, sleepless nights, unendurable sense of loss, anger, helplessness, denial, loss and confusion.
To many, Karpal is the best lawyer, the best fighter and a legend – and his spirit lives in many. His voice will not be stilled after his death.
To his wife, Gurmit Kaur, he was a loving husband and she will hold on to those beautiful moments shared.
Mrs Karpal related in an interview some years back that on her birthday (May 10, 1987) when Karpal was under ISA detention, she was feeling lost but a letter was delivered to her.
“Inside the envelope was a little card with a drawing on it. It started off with To my girl in blue. You see, I had a lovely blue frock when I was nine or 10 which I wore everywhere. He remembered that!
“That was the most beautiful thing he had ever done – just to tell me he was still there and that he loved me.”
To many parents, it would be the message they received from their children from the sinking ferry.
One student texted his mum: “This might be the last chance to say I love you.”
The mother, not knowing what was on, replied: “Why’s that? I love you anyway.”
According to the Korea Herald, he was rescued but other parents who received such messages would have to hold on the “I love you.”
Is that all? There should be hope because of Easter!
We may not have an answer to “why Karpal, why the South Korean sinking ferry,” but we are sure Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the world but only three magic days later – it’s Easter – our Lord is risen.
Easter is when God asks His annual question. All across the world on this Sunday morning, Christ will lean forward and shout: Have you lost the wonder of the Cross?
I love Easter – the triumphant notes of the music, the joy it expresses and the hope for which Easter stands. We have a hope beyond the grave, that when we come to the end of life and stand at the river of death, we can hear Jesus’ words – Because I live, you shall live also – a victorious message that the truth will live and evil will not triumph.
Let’s hear an Easter story of what Jeremy, an unlikely child, has in his egg, as told by Ida Mae Kempel, freelance California writer.
Jeremy was born with a twisted body and slow mind. At the age of 12, he was in second grade, seemingly unable to learn.
His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him. One day, she called his parents for a consultation.
Doris told the parents Jeremy really belongs in a special school and it’s unfair to him to be with 18 children who are five years younger than him and who don’t have learning problems.
Jeremy’s mother, in tears, said: “Miss Miller, there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here.”
Doris sat for a long time after they left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul.
After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it wasn’t fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. He would never learn to read and write.
As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. “Oh God, here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared to that poor family. Please help me to be more patient with Jeremy.”
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus and emphasised the idea of new life springing forth.
She gave each of the children a large plastic egg and asked them to bring back the next day with something inside that shows new life.
The next morning, 19 children came to school and they placed their eggs in a large basket on Miss Miller’s desk.
It was time to open the eggs. The first egg contained a flower.
“Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life. When plants peek through the ground, we know the Spring is here.”
Next was a plastic butterfly, followed by one with a rock with a moss on it.
The children who were awaiting their turn, said expectantly: “Miss Miller, that one is mine.”
Then as Doris opened the fourth one, she gasped. The egg was empty. Surely it must be Jeremy’s, she thought.
She quietly set the egg aside and reached for another.
Suddenly Jeremy spoke up: “Miss Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?”
Flustered, Doris replied: “But Jeremy, your egg is empty!”
Jeremy looked into her eyes and said softly: “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty too!”
Time stood still. When she could speak again, Doris asked him: “Do you know why the tomb was empty?”
“Oh yes,” Jeremy said, “Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up!”
The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the school yard, Doris cried.
The cold inside her melted away completely.
Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket – all of them empty.
Death has no authority over Jeremy.
Easter means at the end of life on this earth, it is not death that snatched us, it is the risen Christ who comes to welcome us.
Easter means because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Not only tomorrow, we can face today. Yes, with all the pains and anxieties, we can face today.
Blessed Easter!