It was the first time I attended The Feast again after more than three years. The lights were dimmed, but the music was on full blast. Many people had closed their eyes and lifted their hands as they abandoned themselves into worship. I was so moved by the song but I couldn’t lift my hands because my seatmates were strangers.

       I was worried about what they would think of me if I started to worship like the others, so I just tucked my arms in and sang along quietly. I was concerned about what others would say, that I didn’t think of what God would say.

       As I began to attend The Feast regularly, I also started to open up to God more. I began to worship wholeheartedly, without any care of what people would think of me. Most of the time, I’d be so overwhelmed by God’s presence, I’d even cry.

       I also learned that worship is not something that God required — He has legions of choirs singing for Him. Worship is for us. It opens our hearts and lives to God’s presence. It opens our hearts to receive His overwhelming love.

Reflection: When was the last time you abandoned yourself in worship? Allow God to love you through prayer and worship.

We praise You, Father. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. We praise You, our King, our God.

St. Crescentia Hoess, pray for us.

Peter tells the crowd a story. We presume that most of the people were familiar with the story and just hearing it within the context of the resurrection would demand a response from them. We too have heard the Gospel but what is our response? Are we lukewarm towards it or are we convinced to prioritize it in our lives?

14 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 “You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. 29 “My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

The Jews are worried that if news of the resurrection spreads, then it will be impossible to stop the growth of the Christians. They need to “nip it in the bud” before Christianity can take root and blossom. This was and always will be an impossible task. How could they stop the news of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

8 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

think: Are we lukewarm towards the Gospel or are we convinced to prioritize it in our lives?

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Leviticus 1-3

GO FORTH AND PROCLAIM

Mary Magdalene occupies center stage once again. There’s even a supporting actress referred to as “the other Mary.” They both rush from the tomb.

       It seems that the two women simply sprang into action and set into motion a simple errand of charity — to prepare the body of the Lord for burial, as prescribed by tradition. What they saw disturbed them. The two were “fearful and overjoyed.” And what they did after the initial burst of emotion was to do an inspired mission. They ran “to announce the news to His disciples.”

       A year ago, I read the blog of Nathan Allen. He stayed a full year in the Philippines and, being a keen observer, had a few pleasant and not-so-pleasant things to say about us, all of which were true. I agree with most of what he wrote. For one, he says, we are a nation of “consumers and copycats.” I would have added this in the list: We are also carried away by shallow feelings. We are touched too quickly by endless telenovelas and identify too much with showbiz personalities, with many of us taking on their pains and their burdens, as if they were our own.

       Mary and her supporting actress in today’s Gospel were also carried away by fear and joy. But that encouraged them to make use of the very same emotions to fuel their passion for mission. Emotion is meant to be “energy in motion.” And this energy, coupled with a sense of mission and duty, can do wonders.

       There was a lot of emotion these past days. Just look at all those penitentes walking bloodied and barefoot in a public display of repentance. Well and good, but we need to take it several notches higher. We need to run and announce the Good News to the whole world. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you proclaim the Good News?

Grant me prudence, Lord, that I may always pause and consider Your will before deciding or acting on any issue in my life.