This Sunday’s Gospel deals with the encounter between Jesus and his disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples had embraced Jesus as the Messiah but all their hopes were dashed when he died like a common criminal on the cross. They were furthermore afraid for their own lives because the whole project for which they dared both the Jewish and Roman authorities has failed. In frustration, two of them were walking away from the city to the margins, from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
The two disciples (Cleopas and his friend) were discussing their shattered hopes because of Jesus’ death while journeying away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Behold, all of a sudden Jesus joined to walk with them but they didn’t recognize him. Seeing their obvious despair, he asks what they are talking about. He wants to hear their version of what happened. First, they referred to him as a “prophet” in their narration as though after his tragic death, they could not see in him the Messiah they had earlier acknowledged. Then, they saw his death as the failure of his mission. They dejectedly lamented about their unmet expectations; how they had hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free. For them, freedom meant political liberation from foreign domination, not just freedom from the tyranny of sin and death.
Still unrecognized, Jesus explained to them how all of the Scripture points to him as the Messiah and how, far from being a tragedy, his suffering and death were destined unto his glory. As they reached their destination, in a gesture of hospitality, they invited the stranger in since it is nearly evening. As they sat down to the meal, Jesus the visitor, curiously started acting as the host. He took the bread, said the blessing over it, broke it and gave it to them. And in that very act their eyes opened and they recognised him.
In the experience of these two disciples, we find some elements of the Christian life. First is the tendency of believers to run away from where Christ is to be found. The present situation has given rise to so much pain that people are confused on the way out. Like these two disciples, some people are already on the road to Emmaus, questioning the existence and power of God. The road to Emmaus represents the path of people who have met with disappointments and frustrations in life; people whose world had collapsed and their hopes and dreams are shattered. There are many like that in our world today. In frustration, we usually tend to walk in the wrong direction.
Second is meeting Jesus in the unexpected place, person or situation. The Corona virus pandemic has shown us that God can be found and worshiped, not just in the churches, but also in our homes, in the streets and even on the internet. How often does this happen and we do not recognize God in the people and events around us, or worse still mistreat him? Yet, imagine how lost the two disciples would have remained had they not welcomed this stranger.
There is something interesting about the two disciples. They were ready to share, not only their pain, but also their lodging and their bread with the stranger. On the part of Jesus, he was willing to listen, without interruption, to the sorrows of those young men. The ability to listen is a great quality. It gives the sense of worth, being loved and hope to the one in distress. We have seen a number of video clips of people who committed suicide these past few weeks as a consequence of the corona virus loses. Should there have been good and caring listeners around them, and were they willing to share their stories with these listeners, maybe they would still be living. Unfortunately, people often refuse to share their sorrows for fear of betrayal, or for lack of empathic listeners.
Further on the meeting with these disciples on the way to Emmaus, Jesus first spoke his healing words to them before the breaking of the bread. By this Jesus gave two gifts to these disciples; the gift of understanding the significance of the Word of God and the gift of the Holy Eucharist. The disciples did not recognize the Risen Lord until he had broken the bread with them.
How often do we fail to pay attention to the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us in the Scriptures? The Risen Lord is ever ready to speak his Word to us and to give us understanding especially in our moments of crisis and confusion. We need to listen attentively to his Word and allow it to change and transform us. Let us make time to allow him speak to our troubled hearts especially at this period of providential quarantine, by engaging in daily Scripture reading.
Do we also recognize the Risen Lord at our Eucharistic celebration? It is the same Lord who speaks to us through the Scriptures that gives us himself in the Eucharist. The two disciples did confess that their hearts were on fire when Jesus explains the Scriptures to them on the way, but they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. This informs the pattern of the Church’s Eucharistic celebration. Firstly, allowing the Lord to speak to our hearts through the Scripture readings which then prepares us to recognize and meet Him in the Holy Eucharist. In other words, listening to his Word first helps to set our hearts on fire and prepares us to receive the Eucharist which is the fullness of Jesus divinity.
It is important to note that as soon as the two disciples recognized the Risen Jesus at the breaking of Bread, they immediately set out to return to Jerusalem, seven miles away (not minding that it was getting dark already as they had earlier expressed, Lk.24:29). It didn’t seem for them so dark and full of danger any longer. What a wonderful sense of urgency! They couldn’t wait till the safety of daylight the next day. The journey back to Jerusalem to share their experience with others had to be done immediately. This is what the power of experiencing the Risen Lord can do in the life of a fervent Christian.
As we also hear the Scriptures explained to us and receive the Holy Eucharist daily, Let us act with the same sense of urgency to convey and share the Good News to others who are in dare need of knowing and recognizing the Risen Lord in their lives. May the Lord who journeys with us daily to revive our broken hearts and drooping faith with his Word and the Eucharist also make us his fervent witnesses. On our own part, may we give Him the first place in our lives and allow his principles and values to determine our daily decisions and life choices. Amen.
Today we joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It was all dark for the disciples of Jesus on Good Friday when they watched their master being put to death and buried. Their experience got no better as the day dawned on Saturday with Jesus still in the tomb. But “on the first day of the week” something different happened. Their darkness was turned to light and their sorrows melted away. Fear disappeared as courage took the stage. Sin and death were conquered by righteousness and life.
As today’s gospel reading relates, very early in the morning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen went to the tomb to perform the burial rituals that could not be properly done earlier because of the Sabbath preparations. Certainly, Mary Magdalen wasn’t going to the tomb to see the Risen Lord but to anoint the body of Jesus whom she so much loved for changing her life for good. There is something about Mary’s action that is touching. Her encounter with Jesus that transformed her life has resulted to such a great love for Jesus that she remained united with him even in death. It is common for people to abandon their friends in difficulty. But Mary Magdalen’s first thought in the morning was Jesus in the tomb. By so doing, she became the first to encounter the risen Lord Jesus. While her first encounter with Jesus brought a transformation from being a dejected sinner to being a beloved follower of Jesus, the second encounter with the risen Lord made her the first witness to the power of the resurrection.
The story of the resurrection is, therefore, a story of encounter – the concept of being born-again. To be touched by Christ, like Mary Magdalen was, is to be resurrected. The ability to say, I used to be this kind of sinner/person or the other, but not any more, is the story of the resurrection. Not just observing the empty tomb, but walking away from it as a Christian is the issue at stake. Even the disciples of Jesus needed conversion to the reality of the resurrection. Easter is therefore a great event because, in Christ, and because of his death and resurrection, a new dawn of grace has arrived. Christ’s resurrection ushers in the divine power that dispels the darkness of sin and death, and gives way to the light of Christ, the Rising Sun of God bringing happiness and forgiveness to our lives. The power of the resurrection opens the door for a new evangelization. It is an evangelization by the testimony of repentant and forgiven sinners to the power of love, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. With the resurrection of Christ, every sinner has a hope of a share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yes, the hope of a life beyond the grave finds its concretization in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mary Magdalene prepares the way for our first reading today, she convinces us that the power of the resurrection is present in every encounter with Jesus. Anyone who encounters Jesus in His word and embraces the teaching is destined for the resurrection/immortality: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). These two-fold encounters (what Jesus did while physically present, and what he does today through the power in His word) are evident in the speach of Peter in the house of Cornelius.
In his speech (our first reading), Peter takes his listeners down memory lane, in order to prove the power in the encounter people had with Jesus: “You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil for God was with him” (Acts 10:37-38). It was important for Peter to link the person of Jesus with the effect of his encounter with the people during his time on earth for Cornelius to understand the experience that made him send for Peter. That served as a step for Cornelius and his household to understand the mystery of Jesus’s death and resurrection that Peter was going to explain. As humans, we meet with several people every now and then. But only experiences of special encounters linger on in our memories. These experinces enable us to know something about the person beyond what is readily observeable. Being touched by the word of God enables us to seek to know more of Jesus and the power of His resurrection, like Paul desired in Phil. 3:10.
Our second reading provides us with an index to measure whether we have resurrected: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). There is one fundamental reason for this new lifestyle because “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”. That implies that mundane concerns should give way to Christlike attitudes. By living the love of Jesus and making it felt by those around us, we proclaim Him alive. Each time we let go of our selfish interests to be of service to others, we become the embodiment of the risen Lord in their midst. Helping others in difficulty, especially during this Corona pandemic period is replicating Jesus’s life in the world of today. The unfortunate situation of the Corona virus has forced us to realize how unimportant some of the things that consume our time and efforts are. We now realize the most important things in life which are life and love. And these are the very things that Jesus offers us in His resurrection: the power to live and to love.
As a people who have encountered the love and mercy of God in the risen Lord, this is our chance to bear testimony to that love. Being freed from the power of sin and death, we have been granted life, justification and grace. Above all, we are now entrusted with the mission of bearing witness to the good news of salvation to others. You and I who celebrate the Risen Lord have been made missionaries and preachers of God’s offer of forgiveness, love and life. That is the Easter gift to us. May His resurrection open new channels of love and service in His name, and may we enjoy the fullness of Life in His presence (John 10:10). Amen.
The Board of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda & Surroundings decided to cancel the mass this coming March 22. We continue to monitor the changing conditions related to COVID-19. Of any changes we will keep you informed and updated regarding our church services and activities.
We encourage members to pray and reflect this Lenten season, to continuously care and help one another, and to keep protecting yourself and others from any harm. We are all God’s sons and daughters. Rest assured that the love of Jesus is with us during this challenging and difficult times. Meanwhile, let Psalm 91 comfort and bring you peace amidst the ongoing pandemic we are in at the moment.
PSALM 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Please be guided accordingly and stay informed by monitoring recent updates and developments via the website of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): Updates on novel corona virus (COVID-19).
Responsible in presiding meetings and ensure smooth and harmonious relationship among church members.
Coordinates with other FCC Chapters in Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Tilburg for any related church activities/information.
Overall coordinator for church activities and communications with the Dutch Catholic Community at OLV Hemelvaartkerk, Gouda.
Represents FCCGouda in all dealings outside the church.
Safe keeper of the church key and church building during Sunday service.
Vice Chairman/Vice President
Assists the president in planning, implementing church activities and initiatives.
Assumes all responsibilities of the Chairman/President in his/her absence.
Secretary
Facilitates communications among officers and church members.
Keep minutes of meetings and general record keeping, including reports from the treasurer.
Maintain an up-to-date records of church members, officers and contact list.
Send out event invitations to church members.
Treasurer
Records all financial transactions.
Writes monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
Oversees collection of donations, church offertory and contributions for monthly coffee/tea.
Gives financial status report during regular Board Meetings.
Auditor
Examines and analyses accounting nrecords to detect any duplicated effort, non-Compliance with relevant policies, deficiency or fraud.
Assists the treasurer in handling financial matters and counterchecks the report of the treasurer.
Liturgical Coordinator
Responsible for preparing and printing of liturgical materials every month.
Ensures that someone is assigned for liturgical readings.
Assigns people for church collection.
Coordinates with the priest and assigned readers to ensure proper orientation.
Event/Program Coordinator
Overall responsible in the organization of events of the church including the preparation and maintenance of things at the event venue and acoustic/music provisions.
This month’s theme during the 4th Sunday mass of FCC-Gouda is all about love, a four-letter word that also means four different kinds of love. Ancient philosophy categorizes these kinds of love into four: the romantic or intimate love (eros), the brotherly/sisterly or friendly love (philia), the unconditional or Godly love (agape), and the affectionate or familial love (storge). Interestingly, these classic four were revered to and celebrated by members of the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda & Surroundings who came for today’s service despite the bad weather.
Couple’s Blessings
It was just a week past when many lovers and couples celebrated Valentine’s Day. The sweetness and warmth of this February 14 lingered on as Fr. Marcel called for all couples to come forward for prayers of blessings and years of happy and harmonious marriages with the Lord God as center of the couple’s relationships. The leaders of the church prepared roses for the women and nicely crafted jars (made by Jenny Luna) for the men.
Specially mentioned of all the couples were Henk and Marietta Boswinkel whose years of togetherness as husband and wife have just turned 32 this month of February! Seeing a couple reaching this far with their pledged love still shining bright from within has certainly brought inspiration not only to the couples present but to all who were there to witness the couple’s blessing ceremony (and picture taking).
Children’s Bible Corner
The theme of love continued from the service in the main hall to the children’s corner in the other room. When asked what love is, the children responded with words like “being nice to others”, “being friendly at school”, “giving a hug”, and “caring”. And they are absolutely right. They have just described philia, that friendly, brotherly or sisterly kind of love. Interestingly, when asked whom do they love, their answers covered all the four kinds of love as each one answered with the words “mother”, “father”, “oma and opa”, “girlfriend”, “my best friend”, and “God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit”. But when asked whether or not to also love that bully at school or that someone who is not treating someone nicely, the children unanimously shouted “NO”. And this is where John 13:34 was taught to the kids as Jesus told his disciples His new commandment, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you may love one another.” The children understood that loving one another also means loving even those who are not nice to us by simply praying for them to become better persons.
Preaching of God’s Word
If the children got the simplified version of speaking about God’s love, then the adults at the main hall received a more in-depth preaching about what love is. In Fr. Marcel’s homily, he spoke of the nature of our Loving Father, who spoke of us as His children. What then does it mean to be children of the Most High? God’s love is unconditional, and if we are God’s children, could we also love unconditionally like our Loving Father does? Are we indeed able to love our enemies or the mean people around us? Did you also know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? These questions were answered during the preaching of God’s Word and you can also find the full transcript of the homily by clicking here.
“Our homily today may sound idealistic, impossible and fantastic. But it is not. Take the example of a normal human behavior. When a person is interested in doing something or in achieving a goal, he/she can spend a lot of time and energy on it, without any external coercion or obligation. Think of football fans. They could stay in the cold winter rain to cheer their club during a football match. At such time, they would be so focused on the game that one may wonder if it is really cold outside. When we want to become like God our Father, our minds would be only focused on how to achieve our objective. In like manner, we abandon sin and do not remember to commit sin because all our energy is dedicated to becoming like God. Here is where we experience and feel the power of love. When we love, there is no obligation, we find an inner motivation to crave for what we love.” ~an excerpt from Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe’s homily
Family Fellowship
As usual, the church service is always followed by a family fellowship where all attendees of the day’s service could stay for a cup of coffee or tea coupled with some snacks (typically home-made Filipino snacks or dish) that were lovingly prepared and brought by some generous members of the church to share with the community. This tradition of sharing meals or simply spending extra hour to sit down and catch up with everyone has all the more enhanced this time of fellowship as children of God and, therefore, as one big family. Part of this fellowship time is also the communal celebration of the birthday celebrants of the month. For those celebrating their birthdays in February, those who were present to receive blessings and prayers were Elpi, Irene and Dirk!
