LIFE AND DEATH

We all know that if there is something that is real and existing as life then it is death. They are 2 different things but we could never agree more to the fact that they both happen every single day all over the world. In fact, this life and death reality happens several times a day if we would just check Statistics. With this I quote Sister Wendy Beckett, "Yes, in silence we can actually break the hold time has on us, and accept that our true home is not here on earth, but in eternity."   This is followed by this statement for Reflection: Today I will spend fifteen minutes silently reflecting on the four last things - death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Sometimes we never fully realize the impact of these realities unless they happen to us. As we ponder upon the side by side, occurrence of these especially, life and death, it could help us in life if we are always in touch with these realities and take a serious look at these events with reference to God, the life giver and taker. We celebrate the existence of life in the presence of a newly born baby with so much joy. On the other hand, death is something that we grieve about. We can even come to a point when we never realized how much a person means to us unless he leaves or dies. In certain instances, death could be defined as something like an effective wake up call or eye opener that could very well get our attention. Thus it is given also that a dying man's words are of extreme importance since they are the last and final words a person could utter to a person much more to a loved one. I've seen and heard before how much people give due importance to it. As in the last will and testament of a dead person that has to be followed up to the last letter. Today's 1st reading contains the last words of a dying person. It would be well for all of us if we consider these words of King David as dedicated to all of us and follow them exactly as it is written. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
...“I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, ‘If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.’”...

Everything begins with life and ends in death. God is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. Let us just hope and pray that every family that is celebrating a special occasion will always center on the greatness of God who made all good things possible most especially the chance to still celebrate important events. We should make a firm stand on whose side we really are. Why would we settle for something less when we can settle for what is best. In all our words, thoughts and actions we must give glory to our Mighty God. There is none like our God. To Him be all the glory and honor. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
R: Lord, you are exalted over all.
10 “Blessed may you be, O LORD, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” (R) 11 “Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory.” (R) “LORD, you are exalted over all. Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. 12 “Riches and honor are from you.” (R) “In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (R)

This gospel reading commentary by Fr. Joel Jason in Sabbath specifically mentioned verse 7 which reminds me of a prophecy I received in Oct. 7, '07 which holds a very significant meaning for me based on the life changing choices and decisions I've made on that date thus I find inspiration in reading it. Here is the article from the Sabbath journal.

"There are people who we are simply afraid of. Before them, we are always careful, calculating, lest we enkindle their wrath. We look at them as powerful. Today, Jesus commissions His disciples. They are to do wonders signifying that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It’s a curious fact that the Bible narrative used authority instead of power (see verse 7). What is the difference between power and authority? GK Chesterton is known to have once said, “If a rhino enters this room, it would definitely have power over me, but not authority.” Power is something that is imposed from the outside. Authority is something that emanates from within. A dictator is powerful over his people, but he has no authority over them. The result of power is fear. Fear of one’s power is something people give because they have to. But once you’re no longer “in power” you lose everything besides. The result of authority is respect and love. Love is something people give you because they want to. Whatever happens, whether you’re in power or not, people will always give it you. Power is something we get by lording it over people. Authority is something we develop by serving people. The Jesus of the Gospels is one described as having “authority” unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus is the one who came to serve, not to be served, and to place His life as a ransom for many.” May the “Authority” be with you! Fr. Joel O. Jason"

 In Didache entitled, "Watch my back" by Ariel Driz, he also quoted the bible passage which is verse 7 of Mark 6

WATCH my BACK!

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. – Mark 6:7

Ray Keller once asked a man who just completed his second tour of duty from the Iraq war, “What was the most important thing you learned from the war?”

The soldier’s response was quick. “Well, Mr. Keller, I learned that it is better to be in a team than to be alone.”

The man explained that while in Iraq, they would walk around and survey the area. They would have a certain formation such that he would focus on looking ahead while his partner would watch his back. He in turn would watch the back of the one in front of him. His commander explained to him that loners have no place in the war. He would need to work well in a team to survive.

While we are encouraged to spend time being alone with God, we need the help of partners who would “watch our backs” — whether they be your spouse, your cell group mates, your mentor, your godly friend…. We need them if we are to win our daily battles.

It would be good to recognize your teammates and partners and thank God for them! Ariel Driz

All of these remind me too of the time when I was watching this TFC program Bet on your baby. Prior to the contestant’s decision to smash the piggy bank labeled #7 I already chose it and to my surprise it did contain the grand prize and was declared the 1^st millionaire winner of the said game show. What I am trying to emphasize here is the fact that God is ever present in all things be it big or small. God is always with us. He'll never leave us and we should forever stay connected to Him for as long we live. If God is with us then who could be against us. We have to really convince ourselves of this truth and be confident of the fact that wherever He leads and brings us, He will never forsake nor abandon us and will surely see us through it all. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”...