OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN
Ever wonder how you find yourself many times saying the “Our Father” prayer without putting so much thought as to what you were saying? Sort of like a stuck record repeating itself over and over again. I know I have. Being raised a catholic and routinely saying the rosary, I found myself in this situation many times. And this is a prayer originated by none other than Jesus Christ himself.
There is a book written about the US cruiser, “SS Indianapolis” that got sunk in the Philippine waters during the later part of World War II. Somewhere in the Pacific, this ship was ordered to leave for Leyte island and unescorted. This ship did not follow a zigzagging course as is standard procedure for this type of mission. About 900 sailors, half of the crew, survived the sinking ship. Unfortunately, the Navy chain of command bungled the SOS message sent by the sinking cruiser. And so no rescue was started for four days. Meanwhile, approximately half of the survivors, even those with life jackets, died either through wounds they initially suffered from explosions and the burning of the cruiser or because of the sea infested sharks which were on a feeding frenzy at certain hours of the day, or some lost any hope of rescue and just gave up and drowned. There was a ship’s doctor who tried to reach each dead sailor, collect their dog tags, and say the “Our Father” prayer beside the floating body. Think of the impact this prayer had on this doctor for the rest of his life! Not until a squadron of US planes on a mission accidentally spotted the survivors was a rescue finally sent. There followed a Navy court martial after the war was over. The captain of the SS Indianapolis was placed on trial. Even the Japanese submarine captain was asked to testify. However, the Japanese captain testified that regardless of whether or not the ship followed a zigzagging course, his submarine would have surely sunk the unescorted ship. Ironically, this Japanese captain later joined a Buddhist monastery. The captain of the US cruiser was exonerated. But the damage had already been done. Years later, this captain took his own life.
Jay was a 77 year old prisoner/patient with lung cancer. The seriousness of his illness was starting to show. He was a World War II veteran and still feisty; ready to fight anyone when provoked. He was in prison for sexually molesting a female minor.
Jay gave this account of himself. “I was a merchant marine and our ship was torpedoed by German U-boats. During the war, this experience happened to me twice on the two different merchant ships I was in. Twice I survived. I felt God was with me both times.” Jay continued, ”I have children, but I don’t want to disturb their lives by demanding they visit me here at the hospital. Also, once I struck a policeman. This policeman demanded I step out with both him and his partner without telling me what the charge was all about. If provoked for no reason, I will strike back. However, there is no reason for me to be angry at you.”
Regarding his spiritual convictions, this is what Jay said. “I certainly believe in God.” At this time Jay pulled out a small old book written by some lay person with spiritual viewpoints. “This book I have carried with me ever since I was a young man. Especially during World War II when our ship was sailing from the US to England. Twelve years ago I busted a hole in my heart. I was operated for heart surgery and almost died. When I was critically ill, I met Jesus Christ as He held out His hand to me.” (Jay probably had a Near Death Experience. Some critically ill people have NDE’s and later narrate their spiritual experiences.) Jay continued, “Now I am not afraid of dying nor do I pray to get well. I have had a full life. Let God help someone more in need, like the young and critically ill.”
The next week, Jay had the beginning symptoms of actively dying. He was in severe pain, bed ridden, and losing his voice. “You’re a good man to visit me. Say a prayer for me”, Jay said. I was surprised by this request as Jay previously never mentioned any formal prayers or the Bible to me. And so I responded as the Navy doctor. “Our Father who art in heaven ....” Jay closed his eyes in meditation.
The following week, Jay was on an oxygen mask, his breathing was erratic and heavy, and he would come in and out of consciousness. The conversation was now only one way. My final prayer to him was, “Jesus, remember Jay when he comes into Your kingdom”. Jay seemed to go out of consciousness. So then I left the room.
Reference - "In Harm's Way : The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of its Survivors" by Doug Stanton
Ever wonder how you find yourself many times saying the “Our Father” prayer without putting so much thought as to what you were saying? Sort of like a stuck record repeating itself over and over again. I know I have. Being raised a catholic and routinely saying the rosary, I found myself in this situation many times. And this is a prayer originated by none other than Jesus Christ himself.
There is a book written about the US cruiser, “SS Indianapolis” that got sunk in the Philippine waters during the later part of World War II. Somewhere in the Pacific, this ship was ordered to leave for Leyte island and unescorted. This ship did not follow a zigzagging course as is standard procedure for this type of mission. About 900 sailors, half of the crew, survived the sinking ship. Unfortunately, the Navy chain of command bungled the SOS message sent by the sinking cruiser. And so no rescue was started for four days. Meanwhile, approximately half of the survivors, even those with life jackets, died either through wounds they initially suffered from explosions and the burning of the cruiser or because of the sea infested sharks which were on a feeding frenzy at certain hours of the day, or some lost any hope of rescue and just gave up and drowned. There was a ship’s doctor who tried to reach each dead sailor, collect their dog tags, and say the “Our Father” prayer beside the floating body. Think of the impact this prayer had on this doctor for the rest of his life! Not until a squadron of US planes on a mission accidentally spotted the survivors was a rescue finally sent. There followed a Navy court martial after the war was over. The captain of the SS Indianapolis was placed on trial. Even the Japanese submarine captain was asked to testify. However, the Japanese captain testified that regardless of whether or not the ship followed a zigzagging course, his submarine would have surely sunk the unescorted ship. Ironically, this Japanese captain later joined a Buddhist monastery. The captain of the US cruiser was exonerated. But the damage had already been done. Years later, this captain took his own life.
Jay was a 77 year old prisoner/patient with lung cancer. The seriousness of his illness was starting to show. He was a World War II veteran and still feisty; ready to fight anyone when provoked. He was in prison for sexually molesting a female minor.
Jay gave this account of himself. “I was a merchant marine and our ship was torpedoed by German U-boats. During the war, this experience happened to me twice on the two different merchant ships I was in. Twice I survived. I felt God was with me both times.” Jay continued, ”I have children, but I don’t want to disturb their lives by demanding they visit me here at the hospital. Also, once I struck a policeman. This policeman demanded I step out with both him and his partner without telling me what the charge was all about. If provoked for no reason, I will strike back. However, there is no reason for me to be angry at you.”
Regarding his spiritual convictions, this is what Jay said. “I certainly believe in God.” At this time Jay pulled out a small old book written by some lay person with spiritual viewpoints. “This book I have carried with me ever since I was a young man. Especially during World War II when our ship was sailing from the US to England. Twelve years ago I busted a hole in my heart. I was operated for heart surgery and almost died. When I was critically ill, I met Jesus Christ as He held out His hand to me.” (Jay probably had a Near Death Experience. Some critically ill people have NDE’s and later narrate their spiritual experiences.) Jay continued, “Now I am not afraid of dying nor do I pray to get well. I have had a full life. Let God help someone more in need, like the young and critically ill.”
The next week, Jay had the beginning symptoms of actively dying. He was in severe pain, bed ridden, and losing his voice. “You’re a good man to visit me. Say a prayer for me”, Jay said. I was surprised by this request as Jay previously never mentioned any formal prayers or the Bible to me. And so I responded as the Navy doctor. “Our Father who art in heaven ....” Jay closed his eyes in meditation.
The following week, Jay was on an oxygen mask, his breathing was erratic and heavy, and he would come in and out of consciousness. The conversation was now only one way. My final prayer to him was, “Jesus, remember Jay when he comes into Your kingdom”. Jay seemed to go out of consciousness. So then I left the room.
Reference - "In Harm's Way : The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of its Survivors" by Doug Stanton
posted by Antonio at 12:30 PM
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