Last Monday I went to give an anointing to a patient who suffers greatly because of cancer. According to her family, she has been longing to receive communion for quite a long time. In fact, it was a wonderful celebration. This woman thought she suffers, she made an effort to confess her sins and then I anointed her. When I gave a holy communion, she answered with a loud voice, (not in Tagalog but in English), “Lord, I am not worthy that you enter my roof, but only say the Word and my soul will be healed.” And we concluded our celebration with a Hail Mary.
When I was about to leave, this woman grabbed my right hand and said, “Father, thanks for bringing Jesus to me.” I smiled at her and said, “Nanay, please pray for me.”
When I arrived home, I recalled what that woman just said, “thanks for bringing Jesus to me.” What a wonderful faith. In her suffering, she is able to see Jesus. Though she has been in bedridden for almost five years, she recognizes Jesus in and through sacraments. She finds her rest in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This woman reminds me of St. Augustine who says, “our hearts are restless until we find our rest in You, o Lord.”
My friends, I do believe that in this time where you cannot go to the Church for the Mass, you have that longing to see Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. But there is something that very precious which we can learn from this. First, how precious the Eucharist is. Perhaps, we just took it for granted in the past. Second, how wonderful is the community, our friends in the parish. For sure, you missed your friends.
As you join the Mass via TV or live streaming, open your heart and listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. He is within you, in your heart, very close to you. His voice is very gentle, “I am the gate. Who enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out freely and find food.” Let us be grateful for what we have received during this time of lockdown. The food that we have received.
In this time of lockdown, my community receives so many blessings. We gave away 5 kg of rice, and we received one sack in return. Indeed, Jesus is always at our gates. Do you want to open your gate to your neighbors? Have you visited your neighbors? Have you ever heard someone said, thank you for visiting me or called me? Or have someone come to your gate or house to greet you? If you experienced it then Jesus is really the true gate for you. If not let us listen to what Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.”