"First
of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for everyone" (I Tim 2.1).
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by
Fr. Martin Kalamparambil V.C | |
In this world there are not many people who wish to die. If you ask anyone, "Do you want to die?" very few will answer in the affirmative. Only God, no one else, knows when death will come. Death does not distinguish between the learned or the ignorant, the rich or the poor. Is there anything that we can do to escape death?
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We are all like a piece of clay that dissolves and disintegrates in the heavy rain. But those who live for Jesus will never face destruction.
All of us are very often influenced by the experiences, thoughts and beliefs of other individuals. But gradually their doctrines also come to an end. We see this in the case of Communism and Naxalism. Those who are unable to accept the changed doctrines keep changing their loyalty to their political parties and drift from one party to another. But the words and teachings of Jesus alone never change or die. The man without God is born into death, like the little baby aborted in the mother's womb even before they are born into this world.
While we are alive, many people lead us to death by their words. They drown us in despair and grief. But the words of Jesus give us hope and new life. Mother Teresa, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Assisi and many others understood the meaning of the words of Jesus and lived in accordance with His teachings. They are all living in our midst even today.
When various problems arise in life quite a few think that it is a good thing to die. But in reality it is much nobler to overcome the difficulties and survive. Jesus faced and overcame all kinds of difficulties in life:
POVERTY : He was poor from His birth in a stable up to His death on a cross.
THREAT : From infancy His life was threatened. Remember Herod sent his men to kill Him.
HOMELESS : He was born homeless and all His life He wandered homeless fulfilling His Father's will.
BETRAYAL : Judas, His own disciple, betrayed Him with a kiss.
MOCKERY : The rulers mocked Him; the soldiers spat on His face.
TEMPTATION : In the desert and in Gethsemane
TORTURE : He was scourged and crowned with thorns.
SHAME : He was stripped naked.
CRUELTY : Mercilessly nailed to the cross.
UNDESERVED DEATH: Even though He was innocent He received death sentence. In this manner overcoming all problems and troubles Jesus accepted death nobly and lives among us today as a shining example.
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The
rosary is an important weapon in the war against satanic forces.
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| | If we live for Jesus we shall live even after we die. All the worldly gains will be lost at death. If we live only to satisfy our bodies, in the course of time the body will weaken. In old age we shall lose our faith in the body. It will become a burden to ourselves and to others.
If we live for name and fame some day other people will realize it and will talk about it; it will be tantamount to selling our own worth and dignity. Perhaps we may gain some temporary fame, but our successors will not care for us even a bit. An athlete may break all record but his record is not permanent. Others who follow will shatter his record and create new ones. Therefore let us run for God and complete our race in heaven. If we live for money, wealth and worldly possessions the result is the same. We will be foolish in the eyes of God, and not only that others may deprive us of our valuables or the coming generations may squander away what we treasured.
Jesus said, "If anyone will lose his life for my sake or for the sake of the Kingdom he will save it. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" (Mk. 8:35-36) The words of Jesus are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). If we live in accordance with the words of Jesus we shall obtain eternal life and everlasting peace. The message we shall give to the succeeding generations will be that we lived a life of obedience to the teachings of Jesus.
When we live in union with Jesus, He will satisfy all our wants. Walk with Jesus; live for Jesus, and you will be welcomed into heaven. You will then live and flourish in the hearts and tongues of millions of future generations. Death will be a gain for you; the angels will gaze at you in wonder and admiration because they are confident that you will shower down blessings from heaven to earth.
When the shadow of death approaches you, those in heaven and on earth will look at you with wide open eyes. You shall not die. You will live forever.
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| Intercession
is a heavenly prayer, equivalent to praise and adoration. In heaven,
the most important person after God is Holy Mary. |
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