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TODY WITH JESUS
31 March 2011
Today’s Bible verse
"None of us know when we might fall victim to a sudden
disaster and find ourselves like fish in a net or birds in a trap.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:12)
The person who is ceaselessly aware and ever vigilant saves his/her
life!
The maturity of a person is measured by the awareness of who he is,
where he is, and where he is heading to? We are living in a world of
disasters. Earthquakes, tsunamis, wars, bombs, nuclear disaster,
betrayals, feuds, deadly diseases etc., are all part of our daily lives.
Constant awareness of our surroundings and being ever-vigilant are the
precautions required for us to survive and move on. Then the death toll
will be minimum like Japan than in Indonesia even though the intensity
of the earthquake and tsunami were higher in Japan. The 'let it be'
attitude is very dangerous. “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your
enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, prowling around to find
someone to attack” (Peter 5:8). For Roman Catholics, the 40-day lent
commences on Ash Wednesday by applying the ash on foreheads by the
priest saying the word ’"Remember that you are dust and dust you shall
return". Being aware and vigilant of our surroundings also applies in
all our spiritual and physical lives. Soul-eating and destructive
cultures are affecting people all over the world. So our children,
parents, sisters and brothers should be protected and warned about the
dangers that lie ahead in their daily lives.
Zahrul Fuadi, 39, is perhaps unique in surviving 2 of the biggest
Tsunamis in recent history- killing 220,000 people in Aceh, Indonesia in
2004, and 11000+ till now in Sendai, Japan in 2011. In the Aceh
disaster, he and his family only escaped in time by piling on a small
motorbike and riding up to the hills. Then, he moved to Tohoku
University in Sendai to complete his doctorate. "I was on the 3rd floor
attending a seminar when the earthquake and tsunami happened. It’s a
sharp contrast to when the disaster happened in Indonesia where most
Acehnese, even a well learned scholar like Mr. Fuadi, had never heard of
the word tsunami, and had no idea of the dangers it could bring.
Compared to the level of preparedness there was in Japan, he said that
there was little planning and little information in Indonesia. "Any
place in the world has its own risk of disasters. If you go on the road,
a car could strike you.. there is always danger everywhere,” he said. He
says, “ warning signs and awareness of the place you live saves lives.”
“Don’t come closer. Take off your sandals, the ground where
you are standing is holy” (Exodus 3:5). Always cling to
God. Get rid of everything that slows down our vigour and enthusiasm,
especially the sin that just won’t let go. Always be aware that we are
not for this disastrous earth but for the heavenly kingdom of God.
Prayer : Jesus, let us be aware of our surroundings and the hidden
dangers ahead of us. Let us have warning signs about the calamities that
are going to happen to individuals and the society as a whole. Save the
world from natural calamities like earthquakes and tsunamis. We pray for
the victims in Japan and Indonesia. All we ask in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Love
Paulose Aachen
Toronto, Monday, 31 March 2011
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Rev. Fr. V. V. Paulose
Vicar,
www.jerusalemchristianmission.com
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