DO-IT-AT-HOME CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY WEEK (Palm Sunday)

Holy Week begins. We commemorate on this day the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem before He was crucified (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19).

This is called Palm Sunday as the faithful use palm fronds in the reenactment of Christ’s entry in Jerusalem. Palm branch is a symbol of victory or triumph. If we reread the Gospels, there were those who threw clothes or cloaks in front of Jesus as a sign of homage. Thus, Jesus entered the city as a King who brings peace.

In line with this celebration, aside from holding some palm branches while the priests/bishops bless them (via TV, radio or internet), Catholics may prepare an outdoor standalone altar or assemble a simple altar outside their gate as a sign and expression of welcoming Jesus to their home. Praise songs too may be sung to welcome Jesus as a King of Peace. If there are no palm branches available, a red cloth may be hung on the front door or gate. For those who have Facebook or any other social networking sites, they may use it to welcome Jesus as a King of Peace. They may also post their own collection of photos or videos during the past years’ celebration of Palm Sunday.

DO-IT-AT-HOME CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY WEEK (Introduction)

Passover is a feast celebrated by the Jews commemorating Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Almost all of us know this story from the Old Testament of the Bible. It is about God who guided Moses to lead His people out of Egypt to travel to the promised land. In the story, we learn that God sent the last plaque wherein every firstborn offspring died on that night except those who remained in houses where a lamb had been sacrificed and its blood painted on the doorposts of those houses. God promised that everyone in those houses would be safe. DEATH would “pass over” those houses. Thus, the feast is called Passover. After that night, God instructed His people to observe the Passover Feast as a lasting memorial.

Jesus too celebrated a Passover. He celebrated a new Passover on Holy Thursday (because the Old Passover is celebrated on Friday evening).

In the Old Testament, a male lamb was sacrificed, roasted and eaten with unleavened bread. In the New Testament, Jesus is the new Passover Lamb. Remember, John the Baptist said this about Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29) and in another occasion St. Paul said, “For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor 5:7). Jesus celebrated the new Passover for our deliverance from the slavery of sin and has opened the door for us to the promised land of heaven. 1 Peter 1: 18-19 says, “Realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.”

We, Catholics, continue in our Holy Mass the celebration of this new Passover (Luke 22:19-20). But in a special solemnity every Holy Week, we do not just celebrate the Last Supper but also recall the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. I am afraid, however, that most of us will celebrate this year’s Holy Week (2020) in our houses as the global situation demands. This is not new actually because both the first Old Testament Passover and Jesus’ Passover were held in houses.

Here is what one can do to celebrate Holy Week 2020 while at home. He or she can participate in the Church’s celebration by following their parish’s Holy Week masses and activities on TV, radio or internet via live streaming.

Our Own Experience of PASSOVER Part 3

All people from all walks of life try to fight against COVID-19 pandemic, but the death toll keeps rising in numbers and COVID-19 is still trending. With this kind of news, fear is within my whole system. The truth is I am afraid to die especially during these times when it is difficult to live while all people are engaged in a war against COVID-19.

With or without COVID-19, death is a reality. But before this pandemic arrives, it seems we do not fear death unless it visits a home or a loved one. But with the pandemic, the death rate itself brings us fear. Death which is just reduced to a number to conceal the identities of the casualties is enough to make us afraid of the virus. Death due to COVID-19 whether the person is a stranger or someone we know is a reason for us to be afraid of the virus. If there is only an available medicine or antidote to kill this virus, then it can at least lessen our fear. But why can’t we kill this virus rapidly?

In the Gospel of John (11:1-45), the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, it tells us that Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus was ill. When Jesus learned about this, He said, “This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it.” These words of Jesus make us understand that death is not the final chapter of our life. We know why He said this when the Gospel tells us how He raised Lazarus from the dead. Death has no power over God. This for us Catholics is a reminder that our faith in God should be greater that our greatest fear of death. However, this does not mean that it is ok to expose ourselves to people who have been tested positive of COVID-19 without any protection (PPE). Rather, it tells us that our life is precious to God that we are not meant to die but to live forever with Him. God never causes death but gives us life. No matter how close we are to God, we will die (and hopefully not now), yet there is hope for us to live again with Him in heaven. But for now, let us live with this faith that if God is with us, He will protect us. During these times when we are afraid of COVID-19, let us keep our faith alive that God will make a way even if it seems these days there is no way. Amen.

Our Own Experience of PASSOVER Part 2

Despite our prayer for healing and the recitation of Oratio Imperata, still it seems unclear how long will the COVID-19 pandemic last. Based on the national and local news, the numbers of COVID-19 patients, which include persons under investigation and under monitoring, continue to rise. 

During these times of international emergency, however, some psychotic enjoy spreading false information about the crisis. They enjoy promoting fake news which cause more anxiety, fear, and tension to the society. Aside from spreading more fake news or false information, there are those who theorize that the virus is a biological warfare weapon. Perhaps, the movies Transporter 2 or Resident Evil have inspired them to accept that there exists in reality a kind of virus used as a weapon. There are also those who run in panic that if COVID-19 would not be contained, the worst-case scenario which could only be seen from the movies like Outbreak and Doomsday might actually happen to us. 

What is more about COVID-19 outbreak is that it awakens again the prediction and prophecy about the end of the world. Whether we are near the end of days or not, it belongs to the realm of God. But I rather commend to everyone to listen to their priests or pastors who preach repentance as God said in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, “If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.” But for those who say that COVID-19 is God’s punishment for us, I have my reservation to disagree on that matter. The Gospel on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 9: 2-3 in particular) narrates, “The disciples asked Jesus, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Simply put, God will help us turning COVID-19 outbreak into a spiritual breakthrough. God’s mercy and forgiveness will shine upon us during these days.

Our Own Experience of PASSOVER Part 1

Due to the present danger brought by COVID-19 to the world, there would still be a celebration of the “mass”, but “mass gathering” should be avoided. 

Parish priests and moderators will say mass even in the absence of the congregation or the faithful. They are obliged to say mass for the people. The Code of Canon Law (Canon 534 § 1) provides that, “After a pastor has taken possession of his parish, he is obliged to apply a Mass for the people entrusted to him on each Sunday and holy day of obligation in his diocese. If he is legitimately impeded from this celebration, however, he is to apply it on the same days through another or on other days himself.” In celebrating the mass FOR the people, it does not follow that it shall be celebrated WITH the people especially during these times when mass gatherings are restricted. But we need to say mass for the people especially during these times. 

As Filipino citizens, we know how COVID-19 affects any person physically or fatally. The State, through the President, called on all of us to stay at home or to observe physical distance to avoid spreading the virus. Medical frontliners help us in this battle. As Catholics, we hardly notice how the devil works to tempt us during this COVID-19 outbreak. Celebrating the Holy Eucharist helps us in this kind of battle with the devil. 

Remember the Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4: 1-11)? It told us about the three temptations. The first is about turning stone to bread; bread as understood here is a food to eat (pagkain). Then there is some kind of immunity or invincibility granted by God (God’s angels will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone). And the last one is about falling down and worshiping the devil instead of God in exchange for worldly pleasure.

These three temptations are all real as we deal with this COVID-19 pandemic. When the President declared some areas in the country under enhanced community quarantine, and many local government officials also announced a lockdown in their respective territories, the first reaction or question they got from the people was “Where can we get our food?” Then there were those who did not take the virus seriously by violating the curfew perhaps with the belief that they are immuned or invincible or with the belief that the virus only kills old people but not the young ones. There were also those who shared a devil-may-care attitude, enjoying the parties outdoors and in. Then there were those who took advantage of the situation. Complaints about scams, pandemic profiteering and price gouging on essential goods are being reported to persons in authority. In fact, the Philippine National Police arrested hoarders of ethyl alcohol who were selling the essential items up to double the price. 

Because of the drastic measures which the Philippines adopt to control the outbreak, particularly through lockdowns and curfew, many people become worried. The words lockdown and curfew prompt them to do panic buying. Out of fear, there were some who chose to go back to their province mostly outside of Metro Manila before the lockdown took effect. 

Lockdown, a word which is used for the practice of isolating inmates, when used as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 outbreak means people are confined in their homes and are prohibited to leave unless for some grave reasons. It includes travel bans. It is even perceived to be worse than any war. It can cause stress to some, disruption of family affairs and changes in social behaviors. It somehow brings us back to the basic concept of survival of the fittest. (Hindi ka nga mamatay dahil sa virus, ngunit mamatay ka naman sa nerbyos o di kaya sa gutom.) Lockdown is fully understood by many in a positive way when medical frontliners made people aware of its importance through these messages “We go to work for you, please stay at home for us” and “We also have family but can’t stay home.” They put their lives at risk. Neither patients nor doctors would die due to COVID-19 if we only follow the directives of the government to stay at home. Nevertheless, THANKS to all medical frontliners especially to those doctors who died due to COVID-19 while trying to save the lives of COVID-19 patients. They lived a life worthy of the Gospel. The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent (Matthew 17: 1-9) told us how Jesus and his three disciples had a wonderful experience in the mountain. Peter wanted them to stay there. But Jesus led them down the mountain. In going down, Jesus had to go on with his ministry even if he knew it would cost him his life.

As the State declared travel bans, curfew, quarantine and lockdowns as an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus, the Catholic Church sua sponte declared that there will be no celebration of the Holy Mass with a large congregation and other religious activities during the Holy Week. Some Catholics started to hear mass literally through the aid of media like TV, radio, and internet. Others used print media to read the Gospel and some reflections provided by the Society of St. Paul and its publishing arm, St. Pauls. This change in the form of our worship brings back into our mind the Gospel during the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4: 5-42). Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” He added, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.” As a priest, I miss celebrating the mass with the people; and the people miss attending the mass in their parish with their priests. But Jesus taught us that this kind of hour will come for us to worship God in spirit and in truth wherever we are. This is the hour. And in this hour, I say to our parishioners and friends, do not just stay at home but PRAY AT HOME while we, priests, say mass for you. 

CMMA

Thanks God for this award.

This is a bonus on my part as an author.

Thanks to St. Pauls Publication!

TRILOGY ON MARRIAGE

The WEDDING is my last book about the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. 

This is basically a book on marriage preparation. 

Reading this book may help couples to prepare for their WEDDING in line with the existing civil or/and canon laws' requirements and prerequisites to make it licit and valid.

This may also help couples to know what they shall expect to happen as they prepare for their WEDDING.

BETTER MARRIAGE is my second book about the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. 

This is basically a book on marriage as a relationship (husband-wife).

Reading this book may help couples understand that there is no such thing as perfect or absolute happiness in marriage. Married life is both a happy and unhappy story depending on who tells the story. But a BETTER MARRIAGE can be said to exist when couples remain faithful despite the troubles.

This may also help couples to find an inspiration to fulfill their wedding vows.

WHEN YOUR SPOUSE ISN'T YOURS ANYMORE is the first book I wrote about the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

This is basically a book on how to deal with emotional pain caused by broken wedding promises/vows. 

Reading this book may remind any couple that not all marriages end in death. There are many factors which affect marriage, but it is left to the couples to fulfill their wedding vows no matter what happens to their world.

Marriage is about the person as individual -husband and wife; it is about the quality of their love; it is about how their love is made manifest in their relationship; and it is about how circumstances may sustain or destroy their love.