JESUS - Son of Man, Son of God

JESUS - Son of Man, Son of God!

    1. The Book of Revelation shows God is the Power and He loves all people with a tough love.  The Eternal Word came among us to give Life and Forgiveness.

    "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14 

    "But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matt 26:63-64

 

    2. Born of a woman.

    "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

    "Beyond destruction there is hope. In the Messiah's kingdom, the darkness would give way to great light, which was to dawn in Galilee and reach the whole nation, and then the whole world. The Messiah's rule would be marked by the vindication of the oppressed and the end of all oppression. He would bring justice and righteousness forever in a kingdom of peace."—NLT Study Bible

 

    2. Behold your God!

    "O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"  Isaiah 40:9

    "O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem: God is coming to save and restore human beings. The Lord's rule is not like that of the unjust and powerless rulers whom he will judge. It is compassionate, just, righteous, and powerful. With a powerful arm: God manifested his power in events such as the defeat of the Egyptians and the rescue of his people."  —NLT Study Bible

 

    3. Raised up from the dead!

    "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  John 1:29

    "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name."  Romans 1:1-5 (NLT)

    "Righteous people. The phrase makes us right comes from the law court. It does not mean "makes us good people"; it means "puts us in right standing before God." "It is through faith that a righteous person has life" (or "The righteous will live by faith" Hab 2:4): The prophet Habakkuk had struggled to understand how God could use pagan nations to judge his own people Israel. God reminded Habakkuk that his true people—the righteous—need to live by faith. In Romans chs 1-4, Paul repeatedly insists that only through faith can human beings be made right in God's sight."—NLT Study Bible

 

    4. The Living Savior!

    "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."  Rev 1:18

In The beginning

In The Beginning God Created.

    [Through other eyes.  I have been reading Genesis in a comic book form.  The illustrator is respectful, accurate, and honors the truth.  We tend to ‘sanitize’ the Scriptures and ignore the actions of real people doing real things in often lurid ways.  God love His Creation – but with a tough love.  We are being given a knowledge of both good and evil.  But God is God!]

   "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light."  Gen 1:1-3

   "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements?  Surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  To what were its foundations fastened?  Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  Job 38:4-7

   "For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain'; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right."  Isaiah 45:18-19

   "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."  Gen 1:26-28

    "Finally, God created people.  He created them in His image, male and female.  What does this mean?  God created them mischief-makers, who cannot leave well enough alone.  Who are restless, on the move, who pursue and are pursued.  Creatures never satisfied, born to create something new, and who plan and build and paint and weave and cook and carve and hunt and fish and play.  And scheme.  ("Man schemes, God laughs.")  People who are filled with fierce desires.  But people who can and will respond to God."  Gali

    Jesus is the Eternal Word.

    "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor." Psalms 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:6-9

    "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  2 Peter 1:16-17

    "What we do see is Jesus: How can the church persevere when evil and death are still in the world? We look to Jesus both in his human life in a position "a little lower than the angels" and in his exaltation, now "crowned with glory and honor." His suffering as a human being led to his exaltation (see Phil 2:5-11; cp. Isa 52:13- 53:12). See also Hebrews 12:1-13; 2:10-18 At least four reasons why the Son of God became human are implied in this passage. First, it was only right: It is consistent with what we know of God's character that he would accomplish salvation in this way (2:10). Second, Jesus had to become human to die (2:14). Third, high priests, as detailed in the OT law, had to come from among God's people (2:17). Fourth, Jesus became a sympathetic priest, experiencing the suffering and testing we know as humans (2:18)."  —NLT Study Bible

    As Creator, God is working and sorting in His World.

    "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' " Matt 13:29-30

    "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."  Rev 4:11

    "Rev 4:1-11 The description of God's throne room stretches the imagination. It builds on the visions of Isa 6:1-4, Ezek 1:4-28, and Dan 7:9-10, where God is seen enthroned in power and majesty. God's throne dominates Revelation, and the worship in the rest of the book flows from this scene. God's magnificence, grace, and glory are fundamental to the church's worship."  NLT Study Bible

Faith, Hope, Charity

God’s Surprises - Faith, Hope, Charity

"But the battle between the Church and the Devil is not determined on earth. It has already been settled in heaven. The Ascension of Christ meant the downfall of Satan, and every act of Christian sacrifice confirms it. Now, according to John’s picture, having been driven from the presence of God, the Devil becomes the enemy of all who seek to do God’s will, using every weapon he can find to defeat the purpose of the Creator, (Revelation 12:1-17)." Neil

1. A living hope!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

"To reach the joy and blessing of eternal life in Christ, we first experience the sadness of the passing world, along with the afflictions we must face here (James 1:1-12). To the watching world the perseverance of the faithful during afflictions appears foolish and even contemptible. But Peter shows that faith under trial is precious indeed, bearing more glory and honor as it continues to stand under trial." Wallerstedt


2. God is working His Vision of the Ages.

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself." Psalms 76:10

"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Romans 9:17

"Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them." Rev 11:11-12

3. Faith, Hope, Love

Hope is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It’s a miracle of renewal that never lets us down. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ Romans 5:5

Paul tells us that hope has a name. Hope is Christ.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Does this make it too easy? Think of the price which Christ paid to save us. God Himself did what we could not do.

"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:3-4

And referring to the virtues of faith, hope and charity (love).

Often the virtue of hope is seen as the most humble of the three, because it is hidden in life. You can see faith and you can feel it, you know what it is. And charity too – we know what that is. But what is hope? What is this attitude of hope? First of all we can say it is a risk, a risky virtue – as Paul says: it is a virtue of ardent expectation for the Revelation of Christ Coming Again. "It is not an illusion".

Jesus, The Hope, renews everything.

"...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." 2 Tim 1:9-11

So hope is a constant miracle. The miracle of what He’s doing in the Church. The miracle of making everything new: of what He does in my life, in your life, in our life. He builds and He rebuilds. And that is precisely the reason of our hope. Christ is the one who renews every wonderful thing of the Creation; He's the reason of our hope. And this hope does not delude because He is faithful. He can't renounce Himself. This is the virtue of hope.

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." 2 Tim 1:12-14

BAPTISM AND HOPE

Our baptism gives us a new and glorious hope


The Lord’s church at Corinth was living and active even though they struggled with problems. They had been buried with Christ in baptism - purified, dedicated to God, put right with God.

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Cor 1:4-9

The Church herself is a "Sacrament" - a grace-filled sign which makes Christ’s saving work present in history, through the power of the Holy Spirit. [Paul uses the word mystery to speak of the reality of the presence of the Kingdom itself, revealed in Christ Jesus, and perceived by faith. Jesus said: "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables." Mark 4:11]

1. New birth - born from above.

"Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:5-6

Baptism is our faith in action. Baptism gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of His death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of His Church".

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

2. New in Christ.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2 Cor 5:17

"Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus." Romans 6:5-11 (NLT)

Our baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ. Our baptism has also given us a share in the Church’s mission of evangelization; as disciples, we are also missionaries.

3. Temples of the Holy Spirit.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20

We have all become new creatures in Christ, temples of the Spirit, adopted children of the Father, members of the Church, brothers & sisters in faith and announcers of the Gospel, capable of forgiving and loving all, even our enemies. Let us ask Him to renew in us the grace of our Baptism and to make us, with all our brothers and sisters, true children of God and living members of His body, the Church.

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:11-13

WAKE UP THE WORLD!

Wake Up The World!

    “Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Eph 5:14-16

    Wake up the world! Be witnesses to show a different way of doing things, of acting, of living! It is possible to live differently in this world.  Jesus did it.

    “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  Matt 24:14

    “All these calamities and tribulations will not prevent the progress of the gospel; the Good News will be preached everywhere (Romans 10:18; Col 1:6,23).”  Wallerstedt

    “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world."  Romans 10:17-18

    “This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”  Col 1:6 (NLT)

    We are speaking of an end-time outlook.

    “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”  1 John 2:18

    John speaks of “last-hour thinking.”  Our world of Time is passing away.  But we are to redeem the time.  The values of the Kingdom are to guide us here on this earth. It is a question of leaving everything to follow the Lord.  No, I do not want to say “radical.” Evangelical radicalness is demanded of all. But we Christians follow the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way. It is this witness that the Lord expects of us. Christians should be men and women who are able to wake up the world.

    Lift Him up!

    “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

    The Church grows through witness, not by proselytism.

    The witness that can really attract is that associated with attitudes which are uncommon: generosity, fair-mindedness, sacrifice, self-forgetfulness in order to care for others. This is the witness, the “martyrdom” of Christian life. It “sounds an alarm” for people. Christians are saying to people with their life: “What’s happening?” Christians are telling something! Christians go beyond a worldly horizon.  Thus Christian life ought to promote growth in the Church by way of attraction.  The Church, therefore, must attract people. Wake up the world!

    Love more, sin less.  Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living! It is possible to live differently in this world. We are speaking of an eternal outlook, of the values of the Kingdom lived out here, on this earth. It is a question of moving beyond everything to follow the Lord.  Radicalness is not only for the few religious: it is demanded of all. Christians should be men and women who are able to wake the world up.”

    “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:17-18

    Yes, we should be real witnesses to a world of doing and acting differently. But in life it is difficult for everything to be clear, precise, outlined neatly. Life is complicated; it consists of grace and sin. We all make mistakes and we need to recognize our weakness. A Christian who recognizes himself as weak and a sinner does not cancel the witness that he is called to give, rather he can reinforce it, and this is good for everyone.

    Daily culture is much richer and conflicted than years ago (or so we think). Our culture then was simpler and more ordered.  Today calls for a different attitude. For example: problems are not solved simply by forbidding doing this or that. Dialogs as well as confrontation are needed. To avoid problems, in some houses of formation, young people grit their teeth, try not to make mistakes, follow the rules and smiling a lot, just waiting for the day when they are told: “Good. You are there, you have finished formation.” This is hypocrisy that is the mistake of the Pharisee, which is one of the worst evils. If a person cannot live in brotherhood he cannot live the Christian life.”

    Living as peace-makers.

    “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.”  Acts 6:1  [Read what the church did.]

    Christian brotherhood with all its possible diversity, is an experience of love that goes beyond conflicts. Community conflicts are inevitable: in a certain sense they need to happen, if the community is truly living sincere and honest relationships. That’s life.  Reality dictates that there are conflicts in all families and all groups of people. And conflict must be faced head on: it should not be ignored.  Covering it over just creates a pressure cooker that will eventually explode. A life without conflicts is not life.

    “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21

GOD'S JOY

God’s Joy Came Into The World

    "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"  Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

    “The Christ comes to bring peace and goodwill toward men, for He is the incarnate love of God, reconciling humanity to God and people to each other.”  Wallerstedt

 

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

And in despair I bowed my head:

'There is no peace on earth, ' I said

'For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.'

 

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

 

    Take up the song of the angels who appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem on the night when Jesus was born. It is a song which unites heaven and earth, giving praise and glory to heaven, and the promise of peace to earth and all its people.  It is a song for every man or woman who keeps watch through the night, who hopes for a better world, who cares for others while humbly seeking to do his or her duty.

Glory to God!

    Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Above all else, this is what the birth of the Son of God bids us to do.  Give glory to God, for He is good, He is faithful, He is merciful.  Hope that everyone will come to know the true face of God, the Father who has given us Jesus.  Hope that everyone will feel God’s closeness, live in His presence, love Him and adore Him.  May each of us give glory to God above all by our lives, by lives spent for love of Him and of all our brothers and sisters.

Peace to mankind

    Dear brothers and sisters, today, in this world, in this humanity, is born the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. True peace - we know this well - is not a balance of opposing forces. It is not sweeping conflicts and divisions under the rug. Peace calls for daily commitment, but making peace is an art, starting from God’s gift, from the grace which He has given us in Jesus Christ.

    “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (NLT)

    “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”  James 1:2-4 (NLT)

    Look at the Child in the manger! The Child of peace.  Our thoughts turn to those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we think too of the elderly, to battered women, to the sick… Wars shatter and hurt so many lives!

Christ lived compassion.

    “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matt 9:36 (NLT)

    Let us pause before the Child of Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, and let us not fear this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God. God’s caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and strength. We need His caresses. God is full of love: to Him be praise and glory forever! God is peace: let us ask Him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.

    “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.  For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”  As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?”

Hebrews 12:5-7 (NLT)

                “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Mystery Of Death

Faith sheds light on mystery of death


Christian faith sheds light on the mystery of death and brings us the hope of Resurrection.

Paul says: "To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?" Acts 26:7-8 "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death." 1 Cor 15:25-26

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." Heb 2:9-18

"At least four reasons why the Son of God became human are implied in this passage. First, it was only right: It is consistent with what we know of God's character that he would accomplish salvation in this way (2:10). Second, Jesus had to become human to die (2:14). Third, high priests, as detailed in the OT law, had to come from among God's people (2:17). Fourth, Jesus became a sympathetic priest, experiencing the suffering and testing we know as humans (2:18)." —NLT Study Bible

Without belief in God and a vision of life as something greater than earthly existence, death can seem like a tragedy that we misunderstand, fear and deny. Without faith death can seem scandalous, especially when children suffer and die. But as we know when we lose a close friend or family member, our human hearts rebel against this false vision and we yearn for the infinite, the eternal, the knowledge that life does not end with death.

This yearning for life finds its answer in the Resurrection of Christ, which offers both the certainty of eternal life and shows us the true meaning of death. Furthermore, those who show mercy to others need never fear death, but instead prepare themselves for death through prayer, the Sacraments and the practice of charity

If we remain close to God in our lives, especially in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable we need not fear death but rather welcome it as the door to heaven and to the joy of eternal life.

"Absent from the body and present with the Lord."

Job asks: "If a man die, shall he live again?"

"But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they? As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought, people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep. I wish you would hide me in the grave and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt. Job 14:10-17 (NLT)

We will all be transformed!

"What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 1 Cor 15:50-55 (NLT)

"For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." John 5:26-29