Voices

Jesus said: «My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

As of this writing, my country is hearing a lot of voices. Why? It's election time.

Different people of different personalities would like to lead the nation. People with different interest and different backgrounds would like to be the shepherd of the country. They declare they are the voice of God. The proclaim they are the voice of the masses. They claim they are the voice of the poorest of the poor. They campaign they are the voice of the largely populated working class. They present themselves as the voice of the minority which likewise of the majority. The candidates advertise themselves as the voice of a new hope for a new nation. These people inform the people that they are the voice of legacy and democracy. Because we hear a lot of voices, we get confused. We have to sit down and analyze whose voice will get our vote. We have to study whose voice will we follow.

As of this writing, our hearts hear a lot of voices. Why? It's like that all the time.

Voices which would like to lead our lives. Voices which would like to tend us along a certain path. Voices which would like to shepherd us to a specific direction. Voices which we hear all around us. Media. Internet. Church. Career. Family. Community. Friends. Spouse. Boss. Child. TV preacher. Book author. Economic instability. Wars and terrorism. Calamities around the globe. Fears. Worries. Health issues. We are drowned by these voices. We can get confused. We are being influenced by these voices. At some point, we have to choose which voice will lead us in the way we live our lives. We have to make a decision which voice will shepherd us closer to God. We have to vote a voice which will enable us to follow Jesus, the true Shepherd.

Let me suggest some tests for us to know if we are following the Shepherd's voice:

• We follow His voice if we follow Him. Easier said than done. Yet we know His voice prevails in our hearts if we are living according to His ways.
• We hear His voice if it glorifies God. Our lives should result to magnifying the Shepherd rather than the sheep. It makes known the Shepherd not the sheep.
• We follow his voice if we get closer to the Shepherd. As the Shepherd leads the flock, He knows the sheep. As the journey continues, the sheep should know the Shepherd.
• We stick with His voice if we stick with the flock. No sheep will wander away from the flock if one hears the voice of the Shepherd. Our Shepherd searches for His lost sheep to bring them back to the flock just in case they follow other voices.

Lots of voices, we hear. Hopefully, His voice will get our vote. Always.

Bread

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. John 6:35

It's amazing how they make cakes.

I was watching this television program with my daughters about a reality series on bakers who specialize in making wedding cakes. They get their cues from the soon to be wed couples regarding their dream wedding cake. These cake designers would do anything for that dream to become a reality. Tell them your theme and they would cut out a fit-in cake for that. They would keep your eyes open when you see the creation. They would put color to suit your wedding gown. They would put anything you can come up with the request of the couple. A cake about your love story. A cake about your first meeting. A cake about your engagement moments. A cake about your dream home. A cake about your love song. A cake about your favorite movie. They have what it takes to create your cake for you.

One thing I realized is this. No matter what the design of the cake is. No matter what the theme of the cake is. No matter what the shape of the cake is. No matter how large or small the cake is. One thing holds the cake together which is always overlooked. The bread.

It's amazing how we make Christian life like cakes.

We put our own colors. We put our own designs. We put our own shapes. We go to the prayer meeting and expect the worship leader to be lively and energetic. We would like our leader to be a eloquent speaker and preacher. We imagine that each member would perfectly fit in to their commitments. We stop attending his mass when our parish priest becomes politicize. We withdraw our participation when the ministry leader commits a mistake. A life of your own theme. A life about you. A life of your own movie.

Realize this. No matter who the leader is. No matter what the leader's style is. No matter how inspiring or boring your pastor's sermon is. No matter how stouthearted or complacent the members are. No matter how the prayer meeting goes. No matter how lifeless is the ministry is. One thing holds your life together, and please do not overlook Him. Jesus, the bread of life.

Scattered

Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Acts 8:4

Scattered people scattered the word. They were scattered yet they preach the word. They should have lose hope since they were broken up as a group however they were still united. They were dispersed and should have gone into each of their own way however they still walked on the same path. They had separate ways yet they were still one. Others went north. Some went south. Few were in the west. Several might be going east. In all these directions, they followed one direction that is to preach the word.

I know a group of people who are in their shoes.

Others are in Singapore. Most of them remained in the Philippines. A bunch are in the Middle East: Bahrain, Dubai and Saudi. Some of them are in North America - United States and Canada. Few of them live in Australia. A missionary priest in Indonesia. Scattered to scatter. Distributed to distribute. Spread out to spread. The word.

We might speak different languages now yet we still keep the same tongue - preaching the word. We might be living in different cultures yet we keep the same way of life - preach the word. We might not be attached as much yet we still touch people - preaching the word. In all these directions, we have one direction - preaching the word.

Now, that is God's plan for His people. Just like seeds in fertile soils. Be scattered. Grow and preach the word.

Loveable

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16

College Classmate: "Bakit ba laging tungkol sa love ang iyong mga tula?"
Edwin: "Kasi loveable ako!"

I admit up to now. Uy, madalang na lang ako magsulat ng poems.

Oh di ba? Lagi nating nababasa yang verse na yan. John 3:16. As bumper sticker. Sa poste ng kuryente. At your desktop sa office. Sa mga website. Doon sa Christian bookstore. Sa bulletin board ng religion department. Sa loob ng jeep or ng bus papuntang school or work. Ito na nga ang pinaka-popular na verse from the good Book. Ito na sigurado ang pinaka-highlighted verse sa mga Bible. Ito na rin marahil ang pinaka-nakatatak sa mga utak natin. Sabi nga nila, "Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan!?"

God loves us that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. Every now and then nababasa natin yan. At lagi din nating nalilimutan ang ibig sabihin nito. Dahil lagi na lang nandiyan, sometimes we just take it lightly just like the sun surely rising in the morning.

Magaling ka. Pogi ka. Pang Miss Kalye ang beauty mo. Valedictorian ka. Employee of the minute ka. Mas mahal ka ba ni Lord? Paano na yung nasa row four? His love for us is not dependent on who we are, it is dependent on who He is.

Or if you think you are the most worst person sa mundo na parang talo mo pa ang most wanted terrorists worldwide, hindi nababawasan ang pag-ibig ni Lord sa iyo. His love for us is not dependent on your performance.

Kung sa tingin mo ngayon, waste management ang buhay mo. Nawala ang iyong mahal sa buhay. Nawala ang iyong trabaho. Nawala ang iyong friends. Huwag mong isipin nawala ang love ni Lord sa iyo. The way you look at yourself in your worst self is not the way the Lord look at you. His love for us will stay and His love for us is not dependent on your situation.

Galit sa iyo ang misis mo. Galit sa iyo ang parents mo. Galit ang boss mo sa iyo. Galit lahat sila sa iyo, pati aso mo. Mabagal magalit si Lord. Hindi pa siya galit mauunahan na siya ng pagmamahal niya sa atin. His love for us is not dependent on the love of people for us.

Ang dami mong doubts, mas marami ang iyong worries, pinaka marami ang iyong fears. His love for us is not dependent with what you are feeling or experiencing.

Siguro nagsusulat tayo ng mga tula about love, ano? Dahil puso at mata ni God, loveable tayo.

The Write Reason

"...It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20

Ito nga! Ito ang rason bakit ako nagsusulat.

Gaya nila Peter at John. Hindi sila mapigilan. Hindi nila mapigilan. Hindi nila matantanan ang magsalita about what they have seen and heard. Hindi sila na-possessed o nasaniban. Nasa control pa rin sila. Yet the desire to share about God and His love for His people can not be ignored. Kaya ang nangyari everywhere they went, they proclaimed. Anytime they had the opportunity, they grab it. Give them a small space or little time, they will make use of it. Bigyan mo sila ng lahat ng oras at lugar, pupunuin nila yan, hindi sila magsasawa.

Dati kasi halos linggo-linggo, nagbibigay ako ng talk o kaya ng exhortation sa prayer meetings. Ang daming grace and wisdom na bigay sa akin ni Lord. Ang mga experiences ko with Him gives me delight and light. Nakikita ko ang kanyang mga kamay halos bawat sandali ng buhay namin. And who am I to ignore the desire to share Him. Yet after we came to the US, all those opportunities to speak about Him in meetings or retreats were gone.

At dito pumasok ang writing. God gave me a way to speak about Him. No audio needed. Walang mic sa aking kamay. I do not raise my voice. I do not use hand gestures. Walang eye to eye contact. Just my fingers plucking the keyboard plus free blog site. Jesus still gives the insights and reflections, my fingers will do the talking. Formerly, pinaka-marami na ang mga less than one hundred who will hear what will I speak. Ngayon, potentially, I can reach an infinite number of audience sa internet, and what a great gift from God!

All of these are possible because it is impossible not to write about of what I have seen and heard. And this is the write reason.

Lakas ng Loob

Thus Joseph, also named by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles. Acts 4:36-37

Ilang gabi na rin akong umuuwi na medyo nanlulumo. Sad ako. Frustrated. May expectation kasi ako na medyo nade-delay. Medyo natatagalan. Though wala naman talagang reason for concern pero, di ko alam. Basta. Feeling ko lang, worry besets in me.

Nung isang gabi, napansin ng very thoughtful and very sensitive kong anak na si Praise na malungkot ako. Right after naming nagdasal as a family, lumapit sa akin at sabi niya, "I thought you could use a hug!" Sabay yakap sa akin. Muntik na akong mahulog sa kinauupuan ko. Muntik ng mahulog ang puso ko. I was encouraged. Nabigyan niya ako ng lakas ng loob. Ang maliit nagpalakas ng loob sa malaki.

After one day, may natanggap akong private message sa Facebook account ko. May isang kaibigan na may sobrang lungkot. Nagpapadasal. Hindi siya makatulog. Nagpapa-encourage. Kahit medyo mahina ang loob ko during that time, tinawagan ko siya to build her up, kahit voice mail pa. Sabi ko, di tayo pinababayaan at iiwanan ni Lord. Ang mahina nagpalakas ng loob sa mahina.

Si Barnabas, alias Joseph, ganoon ang ginawa. Inilagay niya ang kanyang pera sa paanan ng mga apostles. Para sumulong ang misyon. Para makatayo ang hindi makatayo. Para makalakad ang hindi makalakad. Para bigyan ng light ang kanilang paths. Encouragement ang tawag diyan. Sino ba si Barnabas? Di naman siya kasali doon sa original na grupo nila Peter. Di naman siya talagang malaking tao. May super powers ba siya para bigyan ng lakas ng loob ang full of power of the Holy Spirit na mga apostles?

Eto ang suntok na linya - Hindi ka maliit at hindi ka mahina para mag-bigay ng lakas ng loob. Simple lang ang mag-encourage. Hugs. Mga katagang: "Kaya natin yan." "God will never fail us." Tap sa likod. Isang phone call. Isang email. Card mula sa post man. Magbigay ka ng encouragement. Dahil sa ating buhay, sa labas nanggagaling ang lakas ng loob.

Ngalan

…as you stretch forth (your) hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Acts 4:30

Salamat sa inyo, Peter at John. Thank you sa inyong prayer. Very honest to goodness ang inyong mataimtim na dasal.

Kung iisipin, ito ang mga unang araw na di na ninyo kasama si Jesus, physically. Ito ang mga araw na kayo-kayo na lang. Ito ang mga araw na kayo na ang nagmamaneho sa misyon ni Lord. Gustung-gusto ko yung sinabi ninyo na sa ngalan lang ni Jesus nangyayari ang lahat ng pag-galing ng maysakit, ng mga tanda at ng mga milagro. Hindi ninyo inako ang glory. Hindi ninyo sinabi na; dahil sa lakas ng dating ni Peter o dahil sa gandang lalaki ni John. Hindi ninyo itinaas ang sariling bangko kung meron man. Sa prayer ninyo, hindi ninyo binigkas ang mga pangalan ninyo bagkus ang ngalan ni Jesus. Sinabi ninyo - through the name of Jesus…

Kasi kung sa akin siguro baka iba ang nangyari…

"Bakit wala ang name ng asawa ko dyan?!" ito ang tanong ng aking butihing misis ng mabasa niya ang isang commemorative book ng isang community kung saan kami ay nag-serve for several years. Doon sa libro na yun, may paragraph kung saan inilahad yung kuwento ng grupo sa aming lungsod, kung paano nagsimula at lumago ang mission. Eh dahil nga misis ko siya, sabi niya dapat daw ang name ko nasali doon sa isinulat dahil daw may significant contribution ako kahit papaano. Noong una, sabi ko may punto ang asawa ko. Marami rin naman akong nagawa. Marami rin naman akong naibigay. Marami rin naman akong napasaya. Ngunit minsan inulit kong basahin ang libro ni Max Lucado na, "It's Not About Me ". At doon binigyan ako ni Lord ng realization. Ibinalik niya ako sa purpose ng misyon ko, at iyon ay malaman, maalala at maitaas ang pangalan ni Jesus at hindi ang name ko. Hindi na baleng makalimutan ako, huwag lang si Lord. Hindi na baleng wala ako sa billing, huwag lang ang name ni Jesus. Dahil yun naman talaga ang importante. Yung itaas ang ngalan niya at ibaba ang iyong sarili.

Korek ang dasal nila Peter at John. It's not through Peter's name or John's name. Hindi rin lumago at lumaganap ang mission sa ngalan ni Edwin Cano. Ang lahat ng healing, signs and wonders ay possible lamang sa pamamagitan ng ngalan ni Jesus.

LOL ni Lord

Kings on earth rise up and princes plot together against the LORD and his anointed: "Let us break their shackles and cast off their chains!" The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them… Psalm 2:2-4

Akala ko laging seryoso si God, nagtatawa rin pala. May light moments pala ang Panginoon. More than that, may halong pangkukutya o panunukso pa ang kanyang pagtawa.

Bakit?

Isipin mo na lang mga hari sa lupa kakalabanin daw ang Hari ng langit. Maghihimagsik daw sila. Nagplano pa nga at nag-brain storm. Mga hari laban sa Hari ng mga hari. King of kings versus earthly kings. Mismatch di ba? At dito nakikiliti si Lord. Dito siya nag-laugh. Hahahahahahaha…LOL. Walang kapana-panalo ang kakalaban ke Lord.

Sabi nga nila puwede na ang tabla-matalo, hindi nga pwedeng tumabla ke Lord. Dahil kung you will go opposite against God, talo ka. Dahil kung ipipilit mo ang gusto mo at hindi ang gusto ni Lord, no win ka. Dahil kung gagawin mo ang wish mo at hindi ang will ni God, olats ka.

Lagi sigurong tumatawa si Lord, ano? Laging may LOL sa heaven. Kasi kahit hindi tayo mga hari, sa totoong buhay, may mga oras sa life natin atin siyang kinakalaban. Yun bang kinokontra natin si Lord. Nagpa-plano tayo at hindi ina-alam ang kaniyang plans para sa atin. Pumupunta tayo sa mga lugar na very opposite at wala sa direction niya. Sinasabi natin ang mga salitang nakakasakit at hindi ang mga words of life and love. Binabaligtad natin ang mundo, tayo si Lord at si Lord tayo. Siguradong tatawa si God dyan.

Do not go against Him. Make peace with God. Unless gusto mong marinig ang LOL ni Lord.

Madalas

She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. Mark 16:10-13

Ngayon understand ko na why at baket , ang hirap maniwala ke Jesus ang mga taong hindi naniniwala sa kanya. Dahil paminsan-minsan, mismong ang mga sumusunod kay Jesus hinde naniniwala. O, di ba? Si Maria Magdalena nakitang buhay si Jesus tapos tumakbo papunta sa mga alagad na drama to the max, ibinalita niya sa kanila ang good news. Pero bad news, hindi sila naniwala. Tapos nagpakita si Jesus sa dalawang nag-field trip sa Emmaus. Nung bumalik sila at sinabing buhay si Jesus sa mga alagad; bad news pa rin, hindi pa rin sila na-convince at naniwala.

Hinde pa rin sila naniwala. Sila yung mga taong kasama ni Jesus sa loob ng three years. Sila yung mga nakakita sa lahat halos mga miracles na ginawa niya. Sila yung mga nagbahagi ng tinapay at isda para kumain ang five thousand. Sila yung mga nagpagaling ng maysakit. Sila yung mga nagpakaripas sa mga demonyo mula sa loob ng mga tao. Mga big shots ang mga ito….Peter, John, James, Andrew, etc. Hinde pa rin sila naniwalang buhay si Jesus.

Bakit kaya? Dahil ba parang imposible?

Sinabi sa akin ng aking batchmate sa college na di ako puwedeng pumasa sa Professional Electrical Engineering (PEE) exams. Dahil daw kulang ako sa industry exposure at theory lamang ang alam ko dahil ako'y instructor sa college. Matagal na akong sumusunod noon kay Lord. Sabi ko, "…tama si batchmate." Pero kung titignan mo yung requirement para pumasa for PEE examinees, wala naman indicated sa sinabi ni batchmate. "Imposible", sabi ko. Hinde ako naniwala na puwedeng papasa akong PEE. Pero gusto kong maging PEE, sino ba ang hinde? Sa suporta ng misis ko, nag-exam ako noong anibersaryo namin noong 2002. Aba eh, yung isang examiner, habang nag-break yung dalawa pang examiner, sinabi niya na ako pa lang ang papasa sa mga nagdaang limang examinees noong araw na iyon. Ang tagal kong hindi naniwala doon, na posibleng papasa ako.

Minsan ang hirap maniwala kahit na matagal ka ng sumusunod ke Lord. Pero lagi namang pinapatunayan ni Jesus na walang imposible sa buhay na Diyos at mapagpalang Panginoon.

So, ganoon pala yun. Kahit minsan, walang mintis si Lord. Kaya manalig tayo kay Jesus ng madalas.

Sarado

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19

Parang si David Copperfield, ano? Lumusot sa pader o bigla na lang lumitaw?

Si Jesus. Sarado ang pinto pero ayun siya dumating at tumayo sa gitna ng mga takot na mga alagad. Magic ba? Hinde. Iyan ang Panginoon natin. Kaya niyang gawin ang di natin inaakala at lubos na maisip. Si Jesus na namatay sa krus at pagkatapos nabuhay muli after three days, aba eh walang panama ang mga dinding at mga pintong naka-lock.

Gaya ng mga pusong sarado. Kaya niyang pasukin ang mga 'yan. Di ba dati ang hirap mong imbitahin sa prayer meeting o anumang mga meeting na pag-uusapan si Jesus. Di ba lahat na lang ng paraan ginawa na ng pamilya mo o kaibigan para pumunta ka doon pero ginawa mo na rin lahat ng dahilan upang wala silang magawa. Pero, tignan mo ngayon, isa ka na rin sa nag-iinvite sa mga friends mo para makapunta sila sa prayer meeting. Kung sa tingin mo parang sarado ang schedule o puso nila, mag-tiyaga ka lang, darating din ang day na sasama sila sa'yo. Walang sinabi ang mga saradong puso, kayang pasukin ni Jesus yun.

Gaya ng mga dead end. Akala mo walang daan. Sarado. Pero bigla na lang nangyari ang di mo inaasahan. Yun bang pumasa ka sa board exam na akala mo ay long shot. O kaya matanggap ka sa trabaho na lagi mong isinusulat noon sa slum books noong elementary ka pa. O kaya yun nagawa mong tumayo at mag-talk sa harap ng maraming tao kahit di mo pinag-aralan ito o di ka naman na-train dito. O kaya yun bang binigyan na ng taning ang mahal mo sa buhay pero habang binabasa mo ito, alive na alive pa rin siya, eh buong akala mo wala na o dead end na. Walang dead end o saradong daan ke Jesus.

May saradong pinto, saradong puso, o saradong daan sa buhay mo? Magtiwala ka lang. Magdasal ka pa. Dahil ke Jesus no match ang mga yan.

Fuel

Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Luke 24:38

We were driving on a thruway when I noticed that the fuel gauge indicated a low gas reading. At once, I decided to take the next exit since we were about 10 miles from our home. So I did that. Staring at the sign of the nearest possible exit, I diverted from our passage. I have to pull out of the route I was taking to fill up the vehicle with gas. I have to stop our journey going home. I guess, this is the case when you ran out of fuel. You pull out from the way. You stop. You divert.

When Jesus died, put in the tomb and was taken from the tomb, His followers thought they ran out of gas. They thought it was time to find the nearest exit. They thought they have to pull out of the journey. They thought they have to stop, not momentarily but maybe forever. They wept. They were scared. They were troubled. They had questions in their hearts and minds. They thought of leaving Jerusalem. After all, the Master who showed them love and marvelous miracles is dead. After all, the Master who chose them among the crowd was taken from His tomb. Not knowing His death and His rising will fuel their revived race. For Jesus' death on the cross gave them forgiveness, not a regular kind of death but a special one. For His resurrection from the tomb gave them hope, not a regular expectation but a premium sight of eternal glory.

Friends, do you feel living your life as if you are running out of gas? You want to stop. You want to pull out of the way. You want to divert your heart and eyes from somewhere else. You want to find the nearest exit. You have fears. You have doubts. Something is troubling you. You are abandoned. You want out. As the church song goes, "Dying You destroyed our death, Rising You restored our life, Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, come in glory!" His death on the cross and His rising fuel our walk with Him. When we follow Him, we will never run out of gas. His dying and His rising fuel our hearts not to be weary of loving God and not be tired in living for God. We can continue our journey. We will never stop. We will never divert. We will go on and on and on… We will never take an exit until we reach our Home. We will fix our hearts on the love and hope He offers. For our hearts' tanks are full.

With His dying and His rising; look at your fuel gauge, it always reads filled up.

Rewind

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. Luke 24:35

There was once a video shop rental in the Philippines that had this note at their shop counter, "Be Kind, Rewind". They are asking their patrons to rewind the tapes they have watched over the weekend or for several days. This saves the next renter some time to readily view the rewinded tape at their comfort and convenience. To rewind the tape is to bring the movie from the start, from the very beginning. To rewind the tape is to start from all over again.

Jesus meeting the duo going to Emmaus made a rewind. He reminded them about what has happened must happen, as He has told them before. He again said the blessing. He broke the bread again. Jesus gave the bread to them, again. Jesus' rewind is not back to square one. It was not the case of starting from all over again. This is lot of notch higher. This a lot of miles farther. With a Savior dying on the cross to defeat sin. With the Messiah rising from the tomb to overcome death. This is not going back from the beginning. This a whole new beginning. And His death and His resurrection brought that new beginning.

The two followers of Christ who were going to Emmaus made a rewind. They enumerated to the Risen Christ what has happened in the past days. They pointed out to Him the succession of events. As they went back to the eleven, they again made a rewind, by recounting what have they experienced along their way to Emmaus. Their rewind, too, is not going back to the starting line. It was a new sound of a gun. Knowing their Master is alive. Meeting, walking, talking and eating with their Lord. They are off to a great new race that has been assured of completion because of Jesus' victory over sin and death.

If you think God has left you, make a rewind. If you are not seeing God's hand in your life, make a rewind. If you think God is dead in your life, make a rewind. Rewind the moments how God has been faithful. Rewind the events how God has provided for you. Rewind the mountains you have hurdled by being strengthened by Him. Rewind the battles He has won for you. And when you are done, wake up to a new day with a brighter sunshine. Stretch your feet for a new start at a higher level. Open your life to a new chapter with a promising story.

We have a victorious Christ! Be kind to yourself. Rewind.

Brothers

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Matthew 28:10

Did you see it? Read the passage above again. So, did you see it?

He called them brothers.

He called the men who fled away from Him brothers. In the time He needed them most, they scattered and nowhere to be found yet He addressed them as brothers. The men who have been with Him in His renowned ministry, became part of the crowd and became silent. The so-called disciples whom He taught and fed, were absent as people mocked Him and put Him to death. The twelve, whom He has chosen, did not choose Him in His moments of agony and suffering. They might have been coward in standing up for Him or denied Him, however, Jesus still considers them as brothers. Yet when He rose from the dead He called them brothers. He still pertained to them as dear to Him. He still saw them as men who are close to His heart setting aside what happened in the past days. More than that, Jesus is giving them direction, "...go to Galilee,..." More than that He is giving them His commitment, "...there they will see me."

The Risen Christ still does that. To us. He calls us His brothers (and sisters). We might have followed our own paths rather than His. We might have chosen to be part of the crowd rather than being His disciple. We might have failed to stand up for Him when it matters most. We might have broken our commitment to love Him above all. We might have denied Him more than three times. We might have betrayed Him. We might have sinned again and again. Despite of these, He still calls us His brothers (and sisters). Still, He sees us as someone who are close to His heart and dear to Him. More than that, He gives us direction in our lives. More than that, Jesus is committed to us.

As Easter people, we should do that. To others. Still call them brothers (and sisters). Yes, the people who were not on-line when you needed someone to provide you company. The person who betrayed you. The family member who denied you. The best friend who became your worst friend in those times you were being ridiculed. The classmate who bullied you. The co-worker who puts you down. The neighbor who spreads gossips about you. The brother (or sister) in your community who slandered you. The spouse who is unfaithful. The problem child in your home. In spite of these, call them your brothers (sisters). Tell them they are still dear and close to your heart. More than that, help them, guide them in the right direction. More than that, express your commitment to them.

He called them brothers. He calls us His brothers (and sisters). Call them your brothers (sisters).

Short

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. John 20:8

They thought of visiting Him for a long time. This is where you come from day to day. You express your love from week to week. Months will pass by, you still step on the same steps to commemorate. Years will commenced, your feet will still take you here. But not with Jesus. There will be no All Saints' Day get-together for His followers. There will be no candles to lit at the tomb at the start of November. No memories of the dead. No death anniversaries for years to come. His death did not last. His being in darkness was not for long. Just three days. Short.

And so with us. Our difficulties will come to pass. Our despair will not last. Our sufferings are just visiting. Our distress are here for a vacation. The hardest of life to live is a wink. The trials we have are temporary. Your financial problems comes in the winter yet gone in spring. Your career or employment concerns goes like as a TV commercial. Your marriage or family issues are cars driving in a thruway, very fast to stay with you. We will not have to have All Saints' Day. Jesus is not dead. Jesus has risen. Jesus has given us hope. All these difficulties will be short because we have hope in Him. In Him who has risen. In Him who defeated death. In three days.

Arrived at your tomb. Just see and believe. Our hardships will all be short.

He is Risen!

So she ran 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." John 20:2

To maximize benefits of having a burial lot, our family does this thing. Whenever there is a latest death in the clan, we ask ourselves if we can exhume one of the remains of our loved ones so we can use the spot again and just put back into the tomb the bones of the loved one who was just exhumed. Normally ten years would be sufficient to find bone remains in the grave. There are required paper works on this process, and during the exhumation, a family member witnesses the digging. As always and as expected, we would find the bones of the loved one in the grave being exhumed. The remains are always present. The dead is still dead.

Exactly the opposite here. Jesus' remains were no where to be found. Just days after His crucifixion, His remains should be in the tomb. What Mary and the disciples saw was not as always as expected. What they saw was not a tomb filled with remains. They found an empty tomb. The dead is not dead. The laying rises. He is living not dead. Unlike humans, He does not remain in the grave. Unlike humans, He rises. Unlike humans, His remains are not in the grave. Unlike humans when put into a tomb they stay after years and after years, Jesus after three days does not.

His remains do not remain. He is risen! Alleluia!