DURING the Chrism Mass last Monday at the Cathedral of Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez told us, the priests of the archdiocese, to value our priesthood — for God has given us the power to transform ordinary bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
“People are hungry for God,” he remarked. Then he reminded us priests (and the laity) how our celebration of the Eucharist powerfully responds to people’s hunger for God.
I have said many times that, no matter how successful we are in this world, no matter how rich and capable we are to enjoy the pleasures of life, we would always look for something much more meaningful and life-giving.
All things in this world, be it wealth and fame, be it power and good looks, are vain. None of these would be able to satisfy completely our needs.
Moreover, no matter how we immerse ourselves into the business, preoccupations, and even beauty and elegance of this world, our hearts and spirits would hunger for something bigger than life — God!
It’s Easter! This Sunday, people would again flock our churches. Even those who occasionally come to Mass would feel the need to connect with God, to respond to their spiritual hunger.
For us Christians, Easter is God’s way of reminding us that He has recognized this hunger in our hearts, that is why he brought his Son, Jesus into this world to live, suffer, die and rise with us.
Our participation in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, would be the most intimate and tangible way to fill our spiritual thirst and hunger.
For us Catholics, we continue to experience and receive the Spirit of the Risen Christ, not only through the Word but also through the Sacraments of the Church and, of course, through the unity, love, service, and compassion we show to one another.
Our churches and congregations are not just buildings, institutions, and associations but are visible signs of God’s presence in the world. They provide as with a profound sense of hope and peace. Through their long-lived prayers, rituals, hymns, traditions, and creed they grant us moral stability and celestial hope.
This Easter Sunday, may we value the faith that we have received through the Apostles of Christ, the first witnesses of the Risen Lord. Like Mary of Magdala, Peter and the other disciples may we “run” as fast as we can to share the Good News that the Risen Christ would be the one to fill the emptiness of our lives!
Have a Blessed and Happy Easter!
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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].
