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.

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Welcomed!

I will not reject anyone.

35 [a]Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. 36 But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”-John6:35-40

I am truly touched by Jesus' words, "...I will not reject anyone who comes to me..." I am trying to be Christ-like. I want to be another Christ to others. I want to live and imitate Christ. To be Christ-like, one has to be like Him, of course. To be like Him, one has to be Love. And Love asks that we do not reject anybody. Sigh. Easier said than done, but, through the grace of God, we can and we can try and try. They said that rejection has its benefits too. However, must we resort always to rejection even if we have a choice to be open and accepting especially to the many blessings of God?

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Doubting Thomas

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples[a] were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.[b] The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [c][Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 [d]And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 [e]Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 [f]Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 [g]Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.-John20:19-35

Thomas' reaction is possibly normal. Though personally, if I am Thomas, I would have believed since some women and other disciples apart from the 12 have already testified to this truth. Yet, despite so many witnesses, Thomas refused to believe possibly because he is the type who will only believe in something he has seen, heard, tasted, smelled and touched.

Today, we cannot see Jesus physically albeit indirectly and in spirit only. But His invitation to Thomas is extended to us - Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. We belong to the post-glorification disciples, meaning, we believe in Jesus though we have not experienced Him in history and for real. However, because of the testimonies from one generation to the next, we have come to believe. Jesus is empowering us to proclaim the Good News through many means - witnessing, proclaiming, evangelizing, teaching, etc.

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Witnesses

Peace be with you.

35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.36 [a]While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39 [b]Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43 he took it and ate it in front of them.44 He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 [c]And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.-Luke24:35-48

Jesus truly showed that He resurrected from the dead by showing Himself to Mary Magdalene, the other women, the two disciples who went to Emmaus, Peter and the other disciples. From one generation to the next, each disciple and follower bore witness to this truth. Today, as we spread Jesus' triumph over death and sin, and His fulfillment of the Law and what the prophets and psalms say, we are witnesses of His in our time.

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Blinded

Our God and Father.

11 But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”[a] which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,[b] for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.-John20:11-18

Jesus accomplished His mission for we are now God's children. God is now our Father through our holy adoption when we are baptized. It is comforting to know that God is not distant to us. (I fully disagree with the song 'From a Distance,' where it said, 'God is watching us from a distance) Unfortunately, just like Mary, we cannot recognize the presence of God in our midst all the time or perhaps we chose to be blind to His presence, or we cannot see Him because His will is not what we want. God is never distant because He is faithful to His promise of never abandoning us. Jesus is inviting us all to live as true children of God - a child of His that loves.

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Truth Beknown

Two encounters.

8 Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce[a] this to his disciples. 9 [b]And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”[c] 11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy [him] and keep you out of trouble.” 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day].-Matthew28:8-15

Roman soldiers are really soldiers by profession. Each soldier is already a formidable unit. Surely a single soldier can bring down men who never knew serious battle in their entire lives. Some say that if a soldier is caught sleeping, he will be punished by death. And yet, the soldiers agreed to all these. They agreed to spread stories that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole him while they were sleep. That is, they risk facing death and shaming themselves for being outwitted by unseasoned men. Not really a good choice.

Jesus is inviting us to rejoice in the truth that He triumphed over death and sin. Despite the lies that the soldiers and elders have spread, the truth was never quenched. So let us spread this truth especially to those who are in need of Christ's Light.

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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.

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A brand new life

Bright morning has come at last.

1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. 2 Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. 5 On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. 6 He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”-Mark16:1-7

If the past days are marked by anticipation and sobriety as we relive Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion and Death, now is the beginning of a series of Celebrations as we relive Jesus' Resurrection and Triumph over death and sin. Darkness will give way to Light. Sadness and sorrow will give way to Happiness and Joy. Death will give way to Life. But take note, despite Peter's denial, the white-robed young man (assumed to be a messenger of God) specifically mentioned the name of Peter as one of those who must go to Galilee to meet Jesus. Yes, despite what happened, indeed God remains faithful to us. God does not want us to be disheartened and discouraged if ever we have committed mistakes in life because He will always forgive us and show us His infinite mercy and compassion. The question is, are we willing to ask forgiveness? Are we willing to return to Him?

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The Pilates of the World

It is done.

... [s]Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. 2 And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, 3 and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. 4 Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” 7 [t]The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” 8 Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, 9 and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. 10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered [him], “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” 12 Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar.[u] Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”
13 When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him[v] on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon.[w] And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” 15 They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.[x] ...
23 [aa]When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,” in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled [that says]:
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.”
... 28 After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled,[ad] Jesus said, “I thirst.” 29 There was a vessel filled with common wine.[ae] So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30 [af]When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
... 40 They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. 41 Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. 42 So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.-John18-19:42

As I read and listened to the Passion of Jesus, I was struck also by the person of Pontius Pilate. A powerful man, yet he did not exercise his real authority, feared his subjects (though he can pulverize Jerusalem easily at that time), and would rather send an innocent man to a shameful death when pressured. I cannot help but remember the many Pilates in our world. Men and women who would rather put the blame to others; made faulty decisions when pressured; would not stand to what is right and true if confronted by so many. Jesus, in His great love for us, also died for the Pilates of our world. Perhaps we are like Pilate too at certain points in our life. But Jesus is here and has saved us. Jesus died and rose again so that we can share everlasting life with Him as well, so that there is always hope for us, so that we will 'resurrect' daily with Him as we continue our earthly existence, and so that we are perpetually washed clean of our sins.

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God's Precious Gift

Love one another.

21 When he had said this, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. 23 One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,[a] was reclining at Jesus’ side. 24 So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. 25 He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel[b] after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and [took it and] handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. 27 After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 [Now] none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. 30 So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.31 [c]When he had left, Jesus said,[d] “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 [If God is glorified in him,] God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. 33 My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. 34 I give you a new commandment:[e] love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. 35 This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”36 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered [him], “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” 37 Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”-John13:21-38

Always the will of God is stronger than human reason. If I were at the Last Supper, and it seems to me that Jesus is implying that Judas will betray Him, I would have said, "Judas, what are you planning to do?! Are you going to betray the Master?!" I think it is a normal reaction. But strangely, no one realized what's going on. Perhaps Judas is not 100% confident of what he's about to do. But God's will will happen. It may be illogical or even foolish or contrary to our will, but God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. His will is stronger than anything. As what St. Paul said, "The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. But, Jesus' death is not a loss or failure, rather, it is God's biggest triumph ever. With Jesus' death, comes Resurrection and salvation. Jesus is sharing His life's victory to us despite our sins and shortcomings. Once, there is no hope for us. But after Jesus, the promise of eternal life and happiness with Him in Paradise is once more given to humankind.

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The Passion

Jesus suffered and died to save us all.

... 6 Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. 7 A man called Barabbas[v] was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. 8 The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. 9 Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what [do you want] me to do with [the man you call] the king of the Jews?” 13 [w]They shouted again, “Crucify him.” 14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” 15 [x]So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.16 [y]The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. 18 They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.22 They brought him to the place of Golgotha (which is translated Place of the Skull). 23 They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 [aa]Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning[ab] when they crucified him. 26 [ac]The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. [28 ][ad] 29 [ae]Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross.” 31 Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. 33 At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”[af] which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 [ag]Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” 36 One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” 37 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 [ah]The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 [ai]When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”...-Mark14:1-15:47

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus is inviting us to accompany Him in His last days in Jerusalem by meditating on His way to Calvary, death and Resurrection. We have our own share of sufferings. We have our own Calvary too. Jesus shares His victory to us all that we too may triumph with life's struggles.

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Questions left Unanswered

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

20 Now there were some Greeks[a] among those who had come up to worship at the feast. 21 [b]They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 [c]Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 [d]Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life[e] loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.27 “I am troubled[f] now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world[g] will be driven out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.-John12:20-33

Life is full of mysteries and surprises. Even if science claims that it can answer anything and everything, still there are some questions that left unanswered. We know the reasons - at least partly - why Jesus must be crucified. However, there is still a mystery about it. Why a painful death? How can a death glorify God? How can a seemingly 'failure' be an act of glorification? Can we do it too in our own small way?

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Miracles do Happen

Miracles around us!

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

Two beautiful stories of miracles. Two hopeless cases and yet have been given each a miracle by Jesus. It is strange why Jesus demanded to know who touched His clothes. Indeed every body is pressing upon Him, surely all are guilty of touching His clothes. But there is one - and He knows the woman - who touched Him quite unlike the rest. The woman was full of hope and faith much more than the rest. Is Jesus desiring to condemn or admonish the woman for touching Him considering that she is unclean at that? No. For me, Jesus perhaps would like the woman to bear witness that all things are possible with God. Perhaps the woman's story is intended for you and me and all those reading her miracle story to inspire us, refresh our hope, and energize our faith in Jesus as the God-made-man Who understands all our pains and sorrows.

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The End is the Beginning

Life after death. Jesus triumphed over evil and death. He is alive. He continues to live. We share in His victory over death and sin.

27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[a] 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.-Luke20:27-40

There are many things in life where we cannot pin it down for good. A perfect example of this is Life After Death or the question, "What happens to us when we die?" There are many beliefs about life after death which includes resurrection.

Jesus once and for all answered the question of life after death when He said, "But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection." Though our body or physical shell dies, our spirit continues to live on (resurrection) and shall go home back to God. If we are worthy, we will be like the angels, enjoying eternal bliss with God.

It is such a pity that there are some, at this age, who still do not believe in resurrection. There are those who use science to take a glimpse on life after death or use laboratory experimentation to venture the realm of the dead. For me, the realm of "Life after Death" could never be calculated, analyzed, studied or experimented upon because this is something that should be experienced when one dies. We can only make hypothetical guesses and never reach far.

Apart from triumph over death and sin, Jesus also promises New Life to us all after His resurrection. This New Life is a brand new beginning after 'death,' a new morning after night's darkness. Our nature is prone to sin but Jesus' resurrection promises a new life, forgiveness and a new chance for us to start anew. Life indeed is a continuous resurrection, a continuous renewal, a continuous conversion until death.

Image courtesy: Jan Steen (Marriage of Tobias and Sarah); artists