Reading one of  a nice xanga friend death penalty queries blog makes me share my thoughts, too.  To my point of view, I totally disagree to death penalty...

Our Lord Jesus had come to awaken us what is wrong in the past and why many still are lost in the darkness and are not enlightened which still do continuously exist now, and with this, he shares to us "To love our enemies." Further he explains this with what you have mentioned in the book of  Mathew... or written in Luke 6:27-42...(within this verses, here is His words that caught me, "...Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same... But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.  Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful."
He doesn't only talk about these words but also have lived it through out history. One instance is that when he had been confronted by the pharisees or priests, and people challenging him what to do with the adulteress that they have presented to Him. Where they explains to Him that in the law of Moses when someone is caught sinning he/she will be stoned to death, but His answer struck them which was "whoever of you all has no fault or sin, shall be the first one to cast a stone."... with these words everyone left them both.  Yet, even Him, didn't cast a stone to her.  Instead, he told the woman "Even I wouldn't cast a stone to you.  Go and sin no more."  In this situation He had shown His love and mercy not only to the woman and those who challenged Him. Awakening them to the reality within themselves and the community they are with... Jesus furthermore shows that He cares for the woman but doesn't agree with her acts of sin, that is why He wishes her not to repeat the same mistake, sin or fault anymore.
There are lot of other experiences of Him with us here on earth where He had lived thy Words... and Him being re-lived and resurrected in the life of His true apostles through out History... They maybe Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christians or Jews... or different in races, lifestyle and genders as well as others.
Jesus set an example to us all how really we should live life as God wills it in each present moment.  And He has given his life to us all not only in dying in the cross but through resurrection, giving us life beyond death here on earth... death not only loosing once existence here on earth but death dwelling in sin and darkness. Jesus being as the way, truth and life to God our Father...so believing in Him means living His ways, learning the truth in Him and a life one with God our Father.

Thus, allowing death penalty surely Jesus disagree with it.  I believe Mahatma Ghandi does too with the Golden Rule he shares to us too... 

Taking one's existence here on earth doesn't bring back the death or really heals the wound of those who were hurt because of this person's sinful acts and deeds.  Death penalty is a form of revenge too no mater how you justify it which wasn't the answer... Doing so makes you more less or equal to him/her.  Promoting it to those unwise to discern, are still learning and lost  to do the same.  Thus, killing doesn't ends... a continuous act which was shown in tribal wars in our country before. ("killing for the justice of a family member and the other side will do so. Thus, it's endless.")  Hatred begets hatred if no one will listen to our Lord's Jesus advice.  And truly forgiveness and letting go is the answer.  (This is what ended the wars between families and tribes who had listen to stop killing, let go of the past mistakes, learned not to commit it again and forgive.)  Forgiveness doesn't only help the one forgiven, if he is enlightened and do turn away from his/her sins too, but also those who forgives, letting the venom of hatred be cast away from their soul and darkness flee away...bringing back peace in one's heart and growth to maturity in life with God. 
Truly, forgiving is hard with all the pains, cause and costs it did to those victims of those who had sin against them, however, forgiveness sets you free from committing too a sin or imposing idolatry and chaos within oneself. Death penalty is an easy way of riddance yet it causes more adversaries to those people around him/her, not only his family but the victims too if hatred continuous to contaminates their soul. 

Violence doesn't end by death penalty it will be ended with thy virtuous of Our Father in Heaven as our Lord Jesus had lived with us all... If everyone will live it so.  It greatly starts from oneself. We can't change the whole world but at least we can change ourselves... and may help those around us learn to live and change so.

Remember how children were in their first days where they play with each other happily then for sometime they quarrel or unintentionally have hurt each other, but after the misunderstanding they let go of it unknowingly/knowingly, (listen to the advice of their parents not to hurt each other again and forgive. - this if there was interference that time) and they are together again playing.
Maybe that is why Jesus says that the kingdom of God belongs to the children as such...  

"At times, life never seems to be the way we want it; but we live it the best we can.  There's no perfect life, but we can fill it with perfect moments."

This is our life as a Gen... trying always to live life in perfect moments of  Love beyond all things that we encounter... Learning to be like our Mother Mary and like Him who is Love.  One may not realize this at once but I believe one day they will... for there will always be the right time for each one and He never fails to help all come to know of it... that each one is Love for the other creating perfect moments that will never die in each man's heart...

Each experience will always be unique.  Yet, there's one thing in common that makes it lives forever... and it is Love and always be the Greatest experience that will always shine through...

Thank you Father for always showing us the way... You are always be the Alpha and Omega.


/1-12-05

Having a past of darkness in one soul and pain felt deep within, makes me wonder how life would be for me.   Purpose and dreams as well as actions towards the fulfillment of these gifts  are clouded and don't know what to do.  Yet, with the ideal I am introduced to in my childhood as well as those who are little less than me keeps me moving on.  Learning once again step by step how to be gentle and caring for them and helping them to live a life in the will of God.  I accept, I so much fail Him at times still due to my indifference and lack of Faith yet it's a battle and life I must face.  Moving on learning to outgrown the idolatry formed unknowingly and knowingly within me, facing my weaknesses and learning to love as Jesus is...
Ajah! and uno to all those who are living God's words and spreading these to all the ends of the world.  Saludo po sa inyong lahat!

   

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