Happy Easter everyone!
Easter is all about resurrection and new beginnings.
What a great time to start a new blog.
--------------------------------------------
This Easter I was blessed to attend several events to reflect on Jesus' passion and resurrection.
I attended the "senakulo", a re-enactment of the stations of the cross. There are actors that play the role of Jesus, Mary, Pilate, Veronica, Simon and the Roman guards. At each station, a prayer is said and a time to reflect on the meaning of each reflection.
I was truly touched at the station where Mary wept when she said Jesus. The reflection was about parents, if we recognise their pains and sacrifices. Many times, our parents are taken for granted especially as we become busy. It's not we don't love them but tend to ignore them because we think, they are always there. Many times, I am guilty of not acknowledging their words of advice, thinking it has been said before. Rather, I should have just thanked them for their tireless concern for me. It is one of the things I should resurrect this Easter, the recognition of the love of my parents, even if what they say is the same thing. Because it is the same love of a parent to a child, regardless of age.
Early Easter morning, I attended mass. Before the mass there was a "salubong", it is a procession of the image of the resurrected Jesus and of Mary. There are two processions. The women will be behind the image of Mary, carrying candles and singing songs or praying. The men will be behind the image of the resurrected Jesus. Then in front of the church, the two images - Jesus and Mary - will meet. "Salubong" is a Filipino term meaning: meet or receive someone who has come. (from http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/).
At the mass, the priest told a story of war prisoners during World War II who were once robbing each other of food but when two of them started Bible study, many joined. Then they had to divide groups. In the Bible, they saw how Jesus also was hungry and tempted but overcame.
One of the greatest lessons from Easter is that we too can be resurrected from our past life, and be renewed, changing our old ways into a new way - Jesus' way!
Both events - senakulo and salubong (with mass) - are Filipino traditions but I attended these in Australia, as I have recently migrated to this country. Kudos to Filipino communities in Australia which organized these events.
Being a Catholic, I am also friends with many other Christians. I respect our differences in religious traditions but I cherish our one belief in Christ. This is part of my journey as a believer in Christ.
A Christian friend was gracious enough to invite me to a Hillsong event and the guest speaker was Reinhard Bonnke. He preached that the blood of Jesus was pure because blood comes from the father, and Jesus had no earthly father but only God the father. The blood of Jesus cleanses our sins. The Hillsong event was attended by a large crowd. Congratulations to Hillsong Australia!
It is great to see that faith is alive in Australia.
Truly, God's love is alive all around the world.
--------------------------------------------
I have a cut in my finger. I accidentally wounded myself while cutting a tomato, and it was not a big knife that was a culprit, but a sharp bread knife.
I was also surprised when I had the cut. I am mostly careful when using a knife. But I underestimated the bread knife. I did not think it was sharp enough to inflict a wound, as most bread knifes I have used are dull and needed pressure to be able to cut into food. But not this bread knife.
The lesson for me is not to underestimate - people, events or even a knife.
Some people who I thought were less intelligent gave the best advice, some events which I thought would be boring became memorable, and things that we take for granted are things that could be more important - like a matchbox during a blackout, or a bread knife that is sharp.
Same way that the Pharisees underestimated Jesus. They thought He was just a carpenter, but He performed miracles. And they thought they could kill Him and get rid of Him but He resurrected!
-------------------------------------------
Happy Easter and God bless you the rest of the year!!!
