Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord
Acts 10:34a, 37-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
Colossians 3:1-4 OR 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8, John 20:1-9
THIS IS the Day the Lord had made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! The Pandemic has once again taken lives. Zamboanga City had less than 50 cases two weeks ago and now we again are 3-digit cases and climbing.
Covid-19 offers no rest even on Black Saturday as we had to gather the security forces reviewing the Executive Orders with Atty. Sinon and Raymond Padayhag as Dr. Apolinario checked on the borders and another team dispatched to prepare isolation areas.
All these we do to protect our people. Sad that we need to close resorts like Davao City on an Easter. Such difficult measures keep our families safe. Earlier, I had a request for a father who was positive with Covid to be brought to isolation and the family needed to be swabbed. By noon after mass, the Covid patient died. And by afternoon, burial arrangements were immediately arranged following the Covid protocols. Different members of the family cannot ever view the coffin because the deceased was put in double body bags and they cannot even go near to say goodbye.
The Lord’s passion and death was a horrible experience of killing an innocent man for our sakes. Fr. Karel San Juan, S.J., in his homily and Seven Last Words, invited us to “embrace our life’s crosses”.
Likewise Fr. Johnny Go, S.J., in his retreat talks of “Redemptive Suffering”; one offered with love for God will be transformed to grace. The Lord’s passion was most painful because Jesus was falsely accused. He was innocent!
In life, for us who experienced such injustice, we would be tormented and pained since not only do we suffer, but our loved ones too. Fr. Johnny cautions about “Spiritual By-Passing” when we deny the truth and spiritualize everything. Being a victim - like the Lord - of false accusations and judgement, I have journeyed through Lent in shame of myself for my sins knowing how Jesus took the cross to save me.
Fr. Johnny said: “JESUS’ GOT YOUR BACK! Ele cuidao canaton! Sagot ka niya! He got your back!” What an assurance in this uncertain times. Because of the realization that our God suffered for us, I join in my pain offering all to God. How little our sufferings are compared to God’s ultimate offering of love for you and me. Verdad, este Covid unpredictable. My Tito and Tita Nene who stood like my parents were buried without their children as the New Year began on her birthday and 10 days later at 95 and 99 years old respectively. This 2021, I lost Mima, who God gave me for 15 years and her daughter Brunah, for 14 years. I offer no apologies for honoring their memories since they were my umbrella who shielded me from my storms. I am in grief and mourn knowing, hindi na sila maibalik.
Today, on Easter, Fr. Kit Bautista’s (S.J.) homily exhorts us like Mary to look into the Tomb. Jesus is no longer there, He is Risen. May we rise from our loss with so much hope in Easter! JESUS OUR SAVIOR with Mary uplift us from our sorrows!
As we ended the Mass, Fr. Arnel Ong, S.J. said “in God’s time all shall be well!”
Thank you to the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, to the Jesuit Community, the Campus Ministry Choir and Servers. Also to Jeff Fernandez, for your Lenten Creativity. To Christian Olasiman for the beautiful ornaments. To Madam Lorna Paber and Nursing Department. To Kenneth Pia, Anne Delos Reyes and Babes Arquiza. To Garnette and Bong.
Happy EASTER THE LORD IS RISEN! We greet your Family as we are all separated because of the Pandemic. Years ago we started the Family Tradition of Easter Egg Hunting to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. Today, we have but pictures to safely share! Happy Easter keep Safe! (MBC)
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