Photograph showing the Risen Christ at Church of St Mary of the Angels
It was not raining. The sky was bright. I was going to post about my vaccination yesterday. Before that, I was reading email. I came to the bulletin of Church of St Anthony of Padua. As I was looking at the message below:
The door to heaven and key to paradise is through the cross
The centrality of the Gospel message is the cross - but fortunately it does not stop there. Through the cross Jesus defeated our enemies - death and Satan and won pardon for our sins. His cross is the door to heaven and the key to paradise. The way to glory is through the cross. When the disciples saw the risen Lord they disbelieved for joy! How can death lead to life, the cross to victory? Jesus shows us the way and he gives us the power to overcome sin and despair, and everything else that would stand in the way of his love and truth. Just as the first disciples were commissioned to bring the good news of salvation to all the nations, so, we, too, are called to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all who live on the face of the earth. Do you witness the joy of the Gospel to those around you?
Source: www.dailyscripture.net, author Don Schwager
This week is the third week of Easter. The Scripture in the bulletin is from Luke 24:35-48:
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Photograph showing my second uncle, died on 28 February 2021
There was a loud thunder just as I was reading the passage Door to Heaven. The electricity tripped. Everyone was so surprised. There was no rain at all. Until now, the sky was fine, no rain until now. And no more thunder now as I was typing the post.
Today is the 81th day my father had passed on. I myself was 'resurrected', I experienced it. Is this a sign to tell me that father is really in heaven now? I am sure he is, for he is such a kind and generous person.
My
second uncle was not so fortunate. He had a sudden death and died in the ambulance. There was no last prayer, no anointing of the sick. His cause of death was coronary artery disease. I helped him to call a priest to offer him prayer and was able to notify the priest at Church of St Anthony to go there one evening, on the Thursday night. Our Lord is merciful. I am sure uncle Anthony will be in heaven too.
