Our beloved John “Manu” left this world and left many of us disoriented because, although he was a regular and imperfect man, he had become a giant in our lives and memories. He commanded an enormous gravitational field that pulled everyone in. He did this by being unflinchingly obedient and faithful in every aspect of his life. He became one of the few men of whom we can say: he is being and doing exactly who and what God wants of him. He was the best friend that is so much more – the one who always has your back, the voice that always lifts, your person who will help at every turn, a constant source of creativity and ideas, a giant heart that deeply cares about everyone and everything, all the time. And in the most difficult moments, through God’s grace, he was a well of faith and hope. I guess what we’re announcing is that he’s gone to be a giant elsewhere, where God can perfect the work He started here. Saying that his absence will leave a giant hole in our world is, of course, redundant; he opened worlds within us that would have never existed without him and eternity is richer for now having our giant.