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HIS Servant
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 DEATH ~ WHERE IS THY STING?
- By Bro. Pete
Lapid
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I used to fear
death. I feared looking at the dead in coffins during wakes. I even
feared visiting hospitals.
But all these ended
after seeing and experiencing the death of my seven brothers. (I come from
a big family.) After seeing some of them suffer so much in their hospital
beds before dying, I no longer feared death. I realized that all of us
would have to go ultimately. And I know that one day, my time too will
come.
Apart from these
experiences, I believe that the real reason why I no longer fear death is
because of my faith. I am not a holy man. But because of the Lord’s mercy
and goodness to me, I know that somehow my faith has grown to a point
where physical death has lost its “sting” over me. I have come to believe,
in faith, that death is the door that will lead me to Heaven. And that it
is necessary for me to pass thru this door so that I may be with the One
whom I love -- for all eternity!
But while I am still
breathing and living here on this planet, there is another kind of death
that I fear, and that is spiritual death.
Because I may be
very active in Church; I may be a leader in Community; I may be going to
Mass everyday and receiving Communion daily; I may be very busy and my
schedule may be full of all kinds of religious activities, yet I could
still be like a walking zombie – spiritually dead.
People may see me in
Church always. People may think of me as someone holy. But if all these
things and activities mean nothing to me; if they do not bring about a
real conversion of heart; if my life is not changed; and, if I continue to
live in sin, then physically, I may be alive, but spiritually, I am as
good as dead!
And that, my
Brothers and Sisters, is what I dread most! And I need to be vigilant
about this. In fact, all of us need to be vigilant about it especially
those who are leaders in Community and those who are very active in
Church.
And for those of you
who still fear death, and as a practical help to overcome it, this is what
I suggest. It is also something that I myself do. I pray for a peaceful
death especially before I lie down in bed at night. I pray that death
would not come suddenly to me; that it would not come through an accident
or by way of a lingering illness, which would cause pain and burden to
others. Above all, I pray that I will be spiritually prepared when death
comes. And I believe, in faith, that God will take me at the right time
according to His plan.
I know of one
inspiring woman whose prayer was like that. And the Lord granted her
request. She died a peaceful death several years ago. And I know that she
is now very happy with the Lord in Heaven.
PRAYER
Prayer: “O,
good Jesus, hear me. Within Your wounds, hide me. Let me not be separated
from You. From the malicious enemy, defend me. In the hour of my death,
call me and bid me come to You, that with Your saints, I may praise You
forever and ever. Amen.”
(from Anima Christi).
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- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has something
wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God answer your
prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet God’s
whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people are
experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that very
few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to write
the subject: “Let Me Tell You A
Story”
For comments, suggestions or
ideas:
E-mail us: genesis@catholic.org
Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20 Kebayoran Baru,
Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Call us: (6221) 720-3824
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Community - All Rights Reserved 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Sharing
By Ricel Lapig
Here's the Latest
By Pinky Torres
Viewpoint
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
On Focus
by Sansu Garin
Compiled by Armand Sol
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