Friday The 13th 2015

The year 2015 brings not only one 
but three Friday the 13ths 
beginning with February then in March
​and finally, in November.

Friday The 13th 2015

​Fear of the number 13 is called Triskaidekaphobia,
and fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
These two phobias are still common these days
in countless number of people in the world
who regard the number 13 to be unlucky,
and more unlucky and more unfortunate if it's on a Friday.
But what is there to fear of the number 13 anyway?
And worse, the 13th day of the month falling on a Friday?

One notable story that comes to mind
regarding the dreaded number 13
and Friday the 13th 
is that during the Last Supper
when Jesus Christ dined with the Apostles,
there were thirteen of them all gathered around the table.
Right then and there Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus.
And then on the following day 
which was a Friday, 
He was nailed to the cross and died.
This story causes the belief 
that the number 13 is evil
and causes misfortune or bad luck
and worst and most feared of all, death. 

People have been avoiding the number 13 ever since.
In high-rise buildings for example,
the thirteenth floor is not marked 13,
but as 14.
Even in apartment units,
the number 13 is omitted,
and renamed as 12A or 14.
In other instances, 
there are many travelers
who avoid traveling together
numbering 13 people,
for they fear of accidents or mishaps.
Many people even go to the point of counting
every single detail of "anything under the sun"
just to make sure the number 13 is avoided, 
like the 13th hour, the 13th minute, 
the 13th street or the 13th house along the road.
The number 13 is dreaded, 
and is causing a fear
that should have never been there at all.

But is there any other proof or evidence 
that this number 13 is not good,
or shall we say, is evil
and brings a lot of bad luck and misfortune
and worse if it's Friday the 13th?
When we browse the internet 
there are a lot of stories going on for some time 
that accidents and mishaps do happen 
on a 13th of anything, 
and especially if it's Friday the 13th.
Whether they are true or just made-up stories,
the point is that bad things do happen 
if we deserve them 
specifically when we sin so much.
Being sinful or wicked 
brings us punishments in many ways,
and they can be in the form of misfortunes,
accidents or mishaps.
But when we are good and not sinning,
then we can be sure nothing bad happens
even if the day is Friday the 13th
because God always protects 
good people from harm and danger. 

We can call on God anytime 
when we feel unsafe and un-assured of security.
When things seem to cause us harm or danger,
we can pray to Him for guidance and safety.
Even if the whole evil thing about the number 13 in general
and specifically of Friday the 13th is true,
we can rest assured that the only one to fear is God Almighty
who is the Supreme Being and Most Powerful of all.
And if we have a strong faith in Him,
then the number 13 and Friday the 13th are nothing at all.
They will never amount to anything then.
The number 13 will just be an ordinary number 
like the rest of the numbers
and Friday the 13th will just be as ordinary
as the rest of the days of the year.

And what should be the best thing for us 
to do on a Friday the 13th?
The only right answer would be
to rise up early at 4 A.M.,
brush our teeth and take a bath,
fix ourselves with presentable and decent clothing,
and then go nowhere else but to church.
Catholic churches hold a Holy Novena Mass
on Fridays at 5 A.M. the whole year through.
Starting the day with a Holy Mass
on a Friday the 13th
shatters all our fears 
of the number 13 and Friday the 13th.
And as always and forever,
seeking God the very first thing 
in the morning all our lives 
assures us of plentiful blessings,
guidance and protection
and so many good things
and removing all our inhibitions and fears.