By what means
shall a brother lay bare
the many thoughts
that cast millstones upon his heart,
bridle his tongue to a halt
and render his fingers numb
on account of ravaging grief?

Death
is the inevitable terminus
of all flesh;
but the means
by which a brother returns to dust
should never stem
from the hands of a mortal;
for that mere mortal
possesses no whit of capacity
to create or sustain life.

By revelation, we understand
that by the ordination
of the Sovereign One,
there are some amongst us
who were numbered
with the saints
that must give up mortality
at the instance
of the swords of mortals,
for the sake of Jesus Christ.
For the brothers
who must sleep this way,
we grieve differently,
having gained
sufficient knowledge
and understanding
that the perfect counsel
of the King of all kings
proceeds with immutability.

But there are some
in the brotherhood
who should live,
and not die by the machinations
and activities of evil men
whose hearts are hardened
by gross darkness.
If they so die,
we lie when we say:
"it is the will of our Father
to call them home".

By the Spirit of Truth
in possession of our vessels,
we must receive knowledge
and understanding,
wherewith we discern
if the death of any brother
be pursuant to
his/her being numbered
and ordained to be
a martyr for Christ.

If it be otherwise,
the living amongst us
must seek and receive
such wisdom that births
both proactive measures
and reactive responses -
on spiritual
and physical fronts -
against every evil
that approaches or befalls us
on account of our faith.

Let not our turning
of the other cheek be anchored
on zeal devoid of knowledge;
or such fear, indolence
and indifference
that be not of the light.

For if at any point in time
the Lord of Hosts chooses
to march as a Lion,
let not His army on earth
enter appear as lambs.

© B.O.A.