AFTER the Easter Vigil Mass in my church last week, I congratulated one of the youngsters that I baptized and joked with him, “So, now that you’ve already received the three sacraments, the next step for you is to become a priest. What do you think?” He looked at me with disapproval and said, “I don’t want to be a priest. I want to be a pope!” I laughed so hard and then responded, “But you’ve got to start from below, my friend, by becoming an altar server first!”
The other day while I was at home, my young nephew, Gavin, asked permission to play with his Lego bricks. “But I don’t want you to scatter them all over the floor,” I told him. “Pease, please, Uncle, let me play with them. It’s my birthday today, you know,” he answered.” Right then, after he melted my heart, I let him do what he wanted.
Kids gives us so much delight. They’re fun, honest, curious and, obviously, so innocent. Their sweetness, kisses and hugs relieve stress and their cajoling softens hearts.
As we celebrate new life on this Easter season, let’s exhibit childlike qualities of joyfulness, carefreeness, wonderment, and lightheartedness. Let’s become more secure about our convictions, free from negative thoughts and assumptions, and be less concerned about other people’s opinions about one’s self. Let’s relieve our minds from any matter that is stressful and raises blood pressures. Let’s live a a joyful and healthier life!
These admonitions may be more appropriate for those of us who are older and have more responsibilities. But it’s true that if we want to enjoy life and avoid sickness, we must be free-spirited.
Perhaps, this is how we should interpret the Gospel this Sunday about Doubting Thomas. Instead of clinging to our fears and doubts, let’s learn to let go of them and believe in the power of God in our lives. Instead of living with tensions and resentments, let’s become more relaxed, placid and not obsessively self-absorbed. In fact, this was the desire of Jesus for his disciples, that they would not be not be fearful and unbelieving but be peaceful and confident in his promise of New Life and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hence, Jesus’ promise of new life is not just that of hereafter but also of our present life on earth. He wants us to live in peace, joy and harmony with family and friends. He wants us to feel his presence and to have liberating attitudes.
Absolutely, life without too much stress and fears is joyful! I know that it’s easy to say these words than to practice them. But no matter how heavy our responsibilities are or how high our positions in the society are, we have no excuse for putting on childlike attitudes of bewilderment, joyousness, and trustfulness.
My friends, one again, Happy Easter to all of you! Let’s always learn to enjoy life and and to live in peace and harmony with all!
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
