Changing situation

Listening to the Spirit

Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now He rules eternal King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Praise to God the Father sing, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Son, our King, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Spirit be, Alleluia!
Now and through eternity, Alleluia!

Listening to the Word

Lk 24:35–48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them: “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Reflection

This reflection is not a personal reflection, it is a result of a group meditations. Three months ago, after I knew that I had to make a reflection for today, I copied the readings and brought them to the Lay Xaverian meeting in Project 8. We were four. We read and reflected on it. A week later, we shared our reflection. And last week, we had the opportunity to talk again about it. In this process, we could see the changing situation in the Gospel, in our personal life, our nation and we hope also in our world.

Changing situation in the Gospel: We realize that the phrase “peace be with you” in the Gospel is so powerful. We can imagine at that time, the followers of Jesus were in a mess. They were so afraid. They were confused. They were struggling. They were in difficulties. In short, they were in trouble. In the midst of this situation, Jesus came and said, “Peace be with you.” These words are important because change the situation. Jesus also opened their minds.

Changing situation in the life of Mera: Mera, one of our members shared about changing situation. Last January, her family promised to visit her Lola (grandmother) on her 80th birthday in Bacolod. But due to covid-19, their flight was canceled. Therefore, they couldn’t fulfill the promise. On her Lola's birthday, her Lola was sad and she was not satisfied. Mera was sad, too.

A month later, her Lola passed away. On the first day of her wake, the family sent a picture of her Lola's face. Seeing that picture Mera noticed that the face of her Lola was sad. Mera’s family decided to go to Bacolod despite lots of requirements and difficulties to travel. After Mera’s family arrived, the family noticed that her Lola face slowly brighten and looked peaceful. It was a changing situation for Mera.

Changing situation in the Philippines: As an Indonesian, I can say that the people's power in 1986 was a changing situation here in the Philippines. For me, it was a graceful and wonderful experience. How come at that time the country in difficulties, in trouble but then change. Change peacefully. When I watched again the documentary about people's power and people sang “Ama Namin,” it really fascinated me a lot. It was a beautiful scene.

Our world is in trouble now. We are facing Covid-19. It has been more than one year, but we don’t know when will be finished. We need, the words from Jesus “peace be with you’’. We need a changing situation.

(Caselyn, Leona, Mera, and Fr. Petrus Hardiyanto, SX)