Life after Death

Life after Death.

18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and put this question to him, 19 saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’ 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. 21 So the second married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. 23 At the resurrection [when they arise] whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God? 25 When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 26 As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, [the] God of Isaac, and [the] God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”-Mark12:18-27

The multi-million dollar question: What happens after death? What indeed. Some believe in Resurrection. Others believe in Reincarnation. Others believe that our life will just continue. Others believe in an abode of the dead. Today, Jesus speaks clearly that when a person dies, s/he is like the angels in heaven. Yes, we achieve a glorified self and in Heaven too. However, there is also such a thing as Hell (where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth) and a place for purification for those who are 'there but has still some pending things to do.' Though Jesus said that 'they are like the angels in heaven,' we can only imagine how it is like to be an angel and how it is like to be in heaven. For now, the challenge is finding heaven here on earth and being an angel to others by doing the will of God through Love.

Image courtesy: artist

The Gate

Jesus is the Gate.

1 [a]“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold[b] through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 [c]When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech,[d] they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.7 [e]So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 [f]All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.-John10:1-10

Yesterday, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Today, Jesus is the Gate. Let's pretend we do not yet know that He is the Good Shepherd. If Jesus is the Gate in today's Gospel, then who is the shepherd that went through the gate? Or who are the shepherds that He opened the gate for? Or how can He identify the true shepherd? The true shepherds who went through the gate are the many people who possess the heart and identity of Jesus - the Good Shepherd. Thus Jesus knew them because they are like Him too! Although these shepherds are mostly identified with priests, for me, I identify them also with the men and women who possess the heart and mind of Jesus, and also helps in their own capacity in shepherding the flock - spreading the Good News, catechism especially for the young, pastoral work in poor areas, spiritual counseling, etc.

Jesus said, "... I am the gate for the sheep." Here, Jesus speaks lovingly to us, His flock. As the Gate, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is the Way to eternal life. Jesus is the Truth and speaks the Truth. Jesus gives Life and Meaning to our own existence.

Image courtesy: artist

The Bread that Gives Life

True food and true work.

22 [a]The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. 23 [b]Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. 24 When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life,[c] which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” 28 So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”-John6:22-29

The food that endures for eternal life comes from Jesus. It is through the Eucharist that we receive this very food that endures eternal life, comes from Jesus, Jesus Himself is the food, and a daily remembrance of Jesus' memory. And as Jesus said, '... work for food... that endures for eternal life.' What work then? To believe in Him, the One sent by God the Father. Jesus truly simplified everything. We need not do much work, rather, to simply believe in Him. We need not toil much for the food that will bring eternal life for it is right in our very midst - the Eucharist. Taking communion truly brings much blessings and graces!

Image courtesy: artist

Alive!

The Lord is risen! Alleluia!

1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark,[c] and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran[d] and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3 [e]So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths[f] there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 [g]For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

As we remember Jesus' sufferings during Holy Week, today we remember and celebrate His resurrection - the new hope and life it has given to us. Jesus' sacrifice has washed our sins and has triumphed over death. We are saved! As Jesus rose from the dead, the first of mankind to do so, we too will rise again when we die to join Him in Heaven forever.

Image courtesy: Artist 

Living Life to the Fullest

How must we enjoy life to the fullest?

22 He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily[a] and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?-Luke9:22-25

So many people would say or greet another with this simple message, "Enjoy life." But what is the formula for enjoying life? I have read stories, encountered people who say that to enjoy life, one must travel, shop, party, be with friends, spend, beautifying oneself, eat and drink, and so forth. These are not bad or evil. However, these are not the real key or answer to enjoying life to the fullest. To live life to the fullest is simply by following Christ - a life of simplicity and poverty, of respect, of love, of generosity, of compassion, of mercy, of prayer, of humility, of doing the will of God. An expensive bag gives one happiness that lasts for a short time only. A bag, no matter how expensive it is, is still a bag at the end of the day. The happiness through generosity that we do to others lasts for a long time. Even if we forget, other people remember it. The goodness we do to others, contribute to the change of the world and teaches others to be good as well. We live in this world but it doesn't mean we have to be worldly. Everything is created good and Jesus is inviting us to complement it by doing good also. Seemingly our world is evil, but God and His goodness - through our goodness also - will always triumph.

Image courtesy: artist 

Testify and Testimony

He testified!

33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.-John5:33-36

From the time of Moses, up to the time of the prophets, and until John the Baptist, they all testified to the truth. And what is the truth? The truth that God is with us, pained by our sins, chastises gently, and gathers us back to Him. Yes, He loves us. The prophets shone like a lamp that gives light. They gave us enlightenment through their prophecies, sacrifices, teachings and miracles. And, the prophets showed the way - the way closer to God through repentance and turning away from sins.

The prophets testified to the truth, showed the way and shone like the light. The prophets came into existence to prepare us for the coming of Jesus. Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Jesus is The Way, and His Way is marked with Love and Light. Jesus is The Truth, and His Truth is Love. Jesus is The Life, and the Life that He gives to those who go to Him is marked with Love, Peace and Contentment, a life of Light!

Jesus is inviting us all to be witnesses of Him who gives us Life wherever we go, but it is not only through proclaiming the Word alone. Rather, the best way to be present-day witnesses of Jesus is through our Christ-like day-to-day interaction and existence with our neighbors through love, peace and respect amongst so many others.

Image courtesy: artists

Yeast again!

Hypocrisy! That terrible yeast again!

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.-Luke13:10-17

As I read and reflected the Gospel, I was struck by a few points. 1) Importance of Sabbath, 2) Jesus is merciful, 3) Hypocrisy, and 4) Life.

Importance of Sabbath. Sabbath is the Lord's Day, God's Day, a day of rest with God, a day of prayer, Mass and Church services. Because it is Sabbath, any work is forbidden for the Jews. This includes healing, strenuous activities and other strong movements like walking more than a mile. That's why the synagogue leader's reaction is pretty normal. It was clear as water that healing happened on a Sabbath. However, the hypocrisy is too much because each and every person who owned an ox or a donkey would bother to untie the animal and lead it to the water even if it meant disregarding a Sabbath requirement. "My donkey might get thirsty and die." "I just bought this horse. It cost me much. I should take care of my investment. I know it's Sabbath but... my horse might get thirsty and die. I just have to take care of it." Strange isn't it? We can be very concerned with our dogs, cats and other animals. But we can turn our heads away and be oblivious of our neighbor's difficulty. Today, this hypocrisy lives. 

There are many campaigns against preservation of whales, sharks, turtles and other marine life for the future generation. There are movements to preserve big cats like lions, tigers and leopards for the future. There are organizations protecting wildlife like pandas, bears and other almost-extinct species. Yet, the irony of it all - some of us nod on anti-life practices like abortion, death-penalty and euthanasia. These people justify it by saying it helps in depopulation, it saves the mother from unwanted pregnancy, it saves the mother from trauma of having an unwanted child, freedom of choice, removing 'cancers' in the society, saving the family from burden, etc. In short, acts of evil wrapped in a beautiful box. Why are we waging war against our very own race?

Despite being in a bad light, the synagogue leader has a point in preserving the sacredness of the Sabbath by doing no work. It is just so saddening to see many institutions, organizations, people and businesses treating the Sabbath - or Sunday for many of us - as just an ordinary day still. Many still go to work. God has given us 6 days already for work. But why do we still have to use the one day with the Lord for work?

Jesus is merciful. Yes, full of mercy to us all. The woman in the story was just there perhaps quietly asking for healing. Wish granted! Jesus approached her and healed her. God knows all our needs. The truth is, even before we open our mouth and asked for help, God is already on His way taking good care of our immediate needs and those that are still to follow.

Help is there, only waiting to happen at the right time and place. Sabbath or Sunday is about God. God is love. All the acts that we do in the name of love - whether on a Sabbath or in an ordinary day - are known and appreciated by God. If we are merciful and only loving to others, God will not be angered for He is love and mercy.

Image courtesy: H. Copping; Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo; The End of the Working Day (Brooklyn Museum); various artists

Learn! Change!

We can learn from the sins of the past. We can shape our future by doing what is right now.

47 Woe to you! for you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.

48 So you are witnesses and consent to the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs.

49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, `I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,'

50 that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation,

51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechari'ah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation.

52 Woe to you lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."

53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many things,

54 lying in wait for him, to catch at something he might say.-Luke11:47-52

The problem with the generation of Jesus was, they believed they learned from the past (i.e. rejection of the prophets) yet they did not believe in Jesus. Ironic isn't it? The manifestation that they learned from their past was the memorial or tomb they built for the prophets. But the last prophet of the Old, but still in Jesus' generation - John the Baptist - still suffered the persecutions, rejection and cold-heartedness of the Pharisees and other leaders. The prophesied-Messiah, Jesus, also suffered the rejection, cold-heartedness and persecution of His generation.

Last night, I was watching a "Stream" segment in Al Jazeera about abortion, and it made me remember a few points. Long ago, families, especially mothers, cry when their babies were selected as offering to the gods.

And if we look back at some of the reports about ISIS, we shed tears for the men who were beheaded without any trial. Going back to the abortion issue, I winced and felt disgusted when I heard pro-abortion women speak of "safe abortion." How can an abortion be safe when there is life being killed? I was really impressed when a pro-life lawyer said that "any being with life has rights" and abortion is not just about the ladies or women only but also "about the baby/fetus in the womb." Come to think of it, if a woman demands the right to abortion, a baby/fetus actually can demand the right to live as well. If a woman has the right to ask a lawyer, a baby/fetus has the right to justice as well by virtue that the baby/fetus has life, has human features, very INNOCENT, and is a yet to come citizen. If a child cries in an alley, it melts our hearts. If a baby can cry and beg inside the womb, asking to be spared from abortion, will it not melt hearts? Why is it that it is easy to be compassionate to a soldier beheaded by the ISIS, and not with innocent babies who cannot cry loud enough inside the womb before and during abortion? Why only feel compassion to the women, and not to the baby/fetus? Abortion is very much the same with child-sacrifice. The barbarism of the past is still the barbarism of today.

They said, "History repeats itself." But we can learn from our past sinfulness, and shape our future by doing what is God's will now. The fault of Jesus' generation is seemingly their lack of comprehension about the mistakes of the past, and their rejection of the Messiah Jesus. Since His time until now, Jesus is constantly inviting us to look back in our past. Not to relish on our sinfulness but to learn from it. The cross is not just a reminder of the atrocities done to Jesus, but it is also a reminder to all of us of our indirect participation in Jesus' sufferings through our sinfulness. The more we sin, the more painful it is for Jesus. Yes, He died for our sins and through the cross, extended eternal salvation to us too. The question is, is it a ticket for us to continuously sin? Do we really have to commit sin over and over again? Can't we choose the better part?

Photo courtesy: Ezekiel's tomb, DavinaFaerie, unknown artist