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: Three Cents Column by Director Bong

Three Cents Column by Director Bong of RGO 24! 'Although I am lacking and my writing is only worth as much as 'three cents...' I share the Sunday messages and interpret them with 'the language of the world.''

칼럼_연재칼럼_Three Cents Column

To be a counterpart

The birth of a masterpiece of life, “The Praying Hands”

Albrecht Durer dreamed of becoming a famous artist since he was a child. Upon leaving his hometown, Durer went to the city and met a friend who had the same vision as him to be an artist, and they lived together. Their hearts and thoughts were the same, so they became very close. However, since they were so poor, they could only draw paintings whenever they had time while working.

Durer’s friend realized that if they continued to live in this way, neither of them would become an artist, so he suggested an idea to Durer. He would make money and support Durer in becoming an artist, and once Durer sold his paintings, Durer would support his friend in becoming an artist. Therefore, Albrecht Durer attended academy first and learned from a famous teacher. Soon afterwards, he began to sell his paintings, and when he made enough money through his artwork, he went back to his friend to repay the debt.

As Albrecht Durer arrived at the restaurant where his friend was working, the friend was sincerely praying while kneeling down.

“Lord, my hands have become stiff while working rough jobs, so I cannot paint anymore. Please give my beloved friend Durer my portion of talent so that he can reveal Your glory, becoming a great artist…”

At the moment, as Durer saw his friend who sacrificed himself and was praying for Durer’s future, tears streamed down his cheeks. Then, he picked up his pen and started to sketch the image of his friend’s hands. Durer’s famous painting, “The Praying Hands,” was born in this way.

A true friendship, an amazing history of life before death

In 4 B.C.E., Pythias of Greece, a faithful citizen, made a speech against the tyrant king, so the king was furious and summoned to kill Pythias. Pythias was a filial son, so he made a final earnest request to the king to allow him to go home to bid farewell to his aged parents. However, the king did not approve his request. He was outraged at the fact that Pythias spoke against him, and if he let Pythias go home, [he assumed that] Pythias could run away.

Damon, Pythias’ friend, stepped forward at that moment and pledged to stay in place of Pythias.

“Your majesty, I will stay in place of Pythias. Please send him home. If he doesn't return, I will die in his stead.”

It was an unbelievable situation, but because Damon requested so earnestly, the king couldn't help but to allow Damon’s request. Damon was thrown into prison with a glad heart. After many days, the fatal day had arrived, but Pythias failed to reappear.

Damon was to be hung on the gallows, so when the executioner placed the rope on Damon’s neck, Damon’s relatives cried out and they cursed Pythias for renouncing his friendship. Some people laughed at Damon’s execution. At the moment when the execution was ordered, someone cried out while rushing toward them on a horse. It was Pythias!

“Please hold the execution. I have returned. Bandits attacked me on the way, so I was late.”

  The two friends held each other and exchanged their last goodbye. Those who ridiculed their friendship were so moved and were saddened by their farewell. At that moment, a miracle occurred. “The sentence is revoked!” the king declared. The king exonerated the two friends with his power.

To be a counterpart

  Through reading this week’s message, we should realize shockingly about the grace of [God]--that the high and noble Being who is exalted on Heaven’s throne came down to earth to human beings and asked us to be His counterpart.

  We really need to be thankful; for from the beginning of creation, the Heavens created us not as a simple part of creation but as God’s counterparts, breathing free will into us. Throughout this long history of salvation, They have been expecting and supporting us in becoming complete as true counterparts.

  Also, They explained about what it means to be a true counterpart of God: to throw out yourself and have the same heart, the same thoughts, and the same purpose as Him. When we do these things, we will create a great masterpiece of life and make an unbelievable history of life before we die.

  Ultimately, we have received the precious and wisdom-filled Word that helps us deeply engrave the way of the into the Trinity hearts once again: at any time, They make one person’s heart fit the Will of God as Their counterpart and work through him.