It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.1
I had the chance to attend a wake recently. The Bishop gave an insightful homily by sharing a story of 2 women friends who loved to thrift-hunt for artifacts. While foraging through a garage sale, they came across an interesting item; it was definitely antiquated and tarnished with much grime. Her friend thought it was simply junk; while she noticed that it could be made of deep silver that simply had to be scrubbed clean. So she bought the item for a pittance. Upon reaching home, immediately she went about meticulously and patiently cleaning her find. True enough! It was an antique crucifix masterfully crafted. Spreading a soft fabric, she carefully laid it atop their table as she prepared to phone her friend and share her excitement. Meantime, her young son came out, saw the crucifix, and starting bawling. “What’s wrong, son?” insisted the mother. He couldn’t help but be emotionally moved by the disfigured body and the facial anguish of Jesus Christ nailed to the cross. The same art-piece was seen differently by 3 persons: one saw junk; another spotted an exquisite antique; while a child saw a suffering Christ.
I recall, the bishop further lamented that in the same manner people regard the Bible differently: most people ignore it; others appreciate it as literature or history; and a remnant treasure it as His story! Listen. Learn. Live!
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.2 Paul who had written much of the books in the New Testament says to the Ephesians, “When you read [Scripture], you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed . . .”3
Are you up to a challenge? Did you know that if you read the Bible at the rate of 4 chapters a day, you would have read it entirely in less than a year? Four-score4-and-some-indefinite-years-ago, I started not as a reader. And tricked myself into reading by starting only 1 chapter a day beginning with the shortest Gospel; e.g., Mark. Thus, in 16 days I finished a book. Then I tried a short Epistle, Galatians, which I finished in 6 days. Slowly and painstakingly my appetite for the Word developed. So, in addition to a chapter from the NT, corresponding to the day, I would read a chapter from Proverbs (which has 31 chapters; coincidence?); later, I added a chapter from Psalms (which has 150 chapters; thus, it took 5 months to finish). Up to date, I devour 4 chapters daily as a habit. Yet, His Word never runs stale. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?5
The bishop ended by saying, “When Adam and Eve sinned heaven was closed.6 After Jesus was baptized heaven re-opened.”
[Jesus] went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.7 Boldly, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”8
Notes:
1. Ecclesiastes 7:2
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. Ephesians 3:1-6
4. A score literally means 20 years; thus, 4 x 20 = 80. Four score has been picked up after Lincoln and now is sarcastically meant to connote any reference to old age. Simply enjoying my age.
5. Psalm 42:1-2
6. Genesis 3:22-24
7. Matthew 3:16-17
8. John 14:6-7
Ganda! Share ko to!