Points of Light - Go In Peace, Darling
Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian
Retired Clergyman and Visiting Priest
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.
Retired Clergyman and Visiting Priest
Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.
One evening after supper, I received a call to visit a patient. Barkev, 47 years-old, had cancer. The doctors had sent him home from the hospital. They could not help him. Barkev was in his bedroom. For the last five days he had not eaten anything. He did not respond to any questions and seemed to be in a coma. In their three-bedroom duplex house, the entire family was there: his wife, his 21-year-old son, his mother, his brothers and their families. The house seemed to be filled with anxiety and apprehension.
I invited everybody to come into the bedroom. I burned some incense, did the house blessing, and asked all present to join me in singing the hymns, "Soorp Asdvadz," "Amen Alleluia," and "Hayr Mer." Barkev’s son was standing in the doorway; he could not came in and face his dying father. Barkev’s mother was sitting by the foot of the bed, moving back and forth in her grief. His wife was at the head of the bed, fixing the pillow to make her husband’s head comfortable. For a long time, I have known that the last sense that a person loses is his hearing. So after the blessing was over, I addressed myself to Barkev and said, "Barkev, we are all hereyour wife, your son, your mother, your brothers and their familieswe all feel very bad for what has been happening to you. We are all going to die sometime. But somehow, I envy you. You are surrounded by your loved ones. I may end up in the corridor of a hospital behind a white curtain, all by myself." Just as I finished my sentence, tears came down Barkev’s cheeks. It was the first sign of life in five days. It stirred such an excitement and relief in the entire family. Barkev’s son came in, knelt by the bed kissing his father’s hand and sobbing. His wife leaned by the pillow, stroked her husband’s hair, and said, "Go in peace, darling." I returned home. Two hours later I received a call. Barkev had died. |
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CHRONICLES OF THE CALL A Calling To The Truth An Unexpected Call From God Flip A Coin From Sales To Souls God's Constant Call To Become A Priest Going With The Current Of God's Call Serve Your Church The Inspiration Of My Teachers RESOURCES FOR VOCATIONS AND CHURCH MINISTRY An Interview with the Director of Youth & Vocations Are You Listening? His Invitation is Still: 'Follow Me' The Armenian Sacrament of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood The Armenian Service of Calling to the Holy Priesthood The Call To Choose or to be Chosen POINTS OF LIGHT All that the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me (John 6:37) Go In Peace, Darling A Match to Light Our Worship A Prayer in the Car A True Christmas Story An Open Door to the Kingdom Baptism in a Shack Blessing of a Factory Confirmed in the Spirit He Gave His Life for Us It Is Worth All The Trouble Prayerful Care of Souls The Blind Man Warming Up Without Heat FAQs Prerequisites for Seminary Study Do I Have What It Takes? Seminary Studies: Courses, Teachers, Grades, Requirements Seminary Life Marriage and Celibacy |
