By Marcel Uzoigwe, C.S.Sp. (Acts 5: 12-16; Revelation 1: 1-11; John 20: 19-31)
Dear friends in Christ,
On this second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Divine Mercy. The Church designated this second Sunday of Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy following the various messages of Jesus to Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska detailing his desire to bring the message of his mercy to mankind. It is a great opportunity to reflect on God’s loving mercy for us, and how we should respond to it. The readings give us insight on how God handles our failures to understand, and lack of faith in what he does in our lives.
The resurrection of Jesus is essentially linked to his great mercy and desire to give us new life, which is the fruit of his Passion. That is why, in his appearances after his resurrection, Jesus showed his hands pierced by the nails, and his side torn open by the soldier’s lance from which flowed out blood and water. That was enough to convince those of his disciples, especially Thomas, who were yet to recover from the shock of his Passion and death, and therefore, doubted the joyful news of his resurrection. While it might be easier for us to believe in the resurrection on account of the Gospels, it remains an obstacle to those who apply human reasoning to divine mysteries, given that the resurrection of Jesus does not lend itself to material order or human consideration. It is clear that some of the people who left the Church or have difficulties believing in God do so on account of the difficulty in understanding the existence of God in the context of the human experience, such as human suffering, which their concept of God could not explain. The experience of Thomas is a reminder that God’s ways are not ours.
In today’s Gospel, we see the first disciples discouraged and terrified after Jesus’ death. They are locked in a room. Suddenly, Jesus stands among them and says to them, “Peace be with you,” and breathes the Holy Spirit on them. They are sent out in the power of the Spirit to offer others the gift of forgiveness. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven…” Notice that Jesus did not reprimand them for deserting him during his passion, nor reminded them of their weaknesses. Rather, he focused on empowering them to bring His forgiveness to mankind because forgiveness in itself is empowering, and creates new opportunities. That is a great lesson to our human societies that often label people, getting them stuck in the mistakes that once made. We often hear the saying, “Once a thief always a thief”. But God sees potentiality for goodness even in the thief and gives him the opportunity, through forgiveness, to bring out that goodness to the world.
What Jesus gave to his disciples is both a gift of forgiveness and a mission. That gift and mission are also given to all of us who have been baptized into the risen Jesus. Reconciled to the Lord, we are all sent out as servants of reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is of course a privileged moment of reconciliation, in which we once again receive the Lord’s forgiveness and pass that forgiveness on to those who have hurt us. But there are other moments of reconciliation: the daily forgiveness of our brothers and sisters; the courage to say “I’m sorry” and the gracious acceptance of another’s offer of apology. In these moments, Jesus is among us to help us get out of situations that can be debilitating for all involved.
The Gospel tells us that Thomas was not with the other disciples when the Risen Lord appeared to them. He might have been devastated by the events of Jesus’ Passion and death and had withdrawn to deal with the pain. Thomas’ absence from the community of the disciples when Jesus came depicts the withdrawal approach taken by some people when they felt hurt. The second appearance of Jesus to the disciple during which Thomas was present teaches us the importance of community even amid crisis. When we cut ourselves off from the community of believers, we lose a great deal. Despite all its faults and shortcomings, the Church is the place where we encounter the Risen Lord. It also teaches us compassion towards one another. Jesus had to come again for the sake of Thomas. Let’s not forget that when Jesus wanted to go raise Lazarus from the dead, and his disciples were afraid that the Jews would kill Jesus, it was Thomas who encouraged his colleagues, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (John 11: 16). One good turn, they say, deserves another. In whatever we do, let a day of sorrow not becloud the years of sunshine we have shared with whoever it might be.
Further on Thomas, the other disciples reached out to him. They shared with him their discovery – their experience of the Resurrected Jesus. “We have seen the Lord”, they said, seeking to convince him. The action of the disciples reminds us of our call to continue to look out in faith for all those who, for whatever reason, have drifted away from the community of believers and no longer meet with us. We may indeed receive the same sort of negative reaction that the disciples received from Thomas. But even if our efforts fail, we know that it remains the will of the Father that no one gets lost. In the parable of the shepherd that left the ninety-nine sheep in search of the one lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) Jesus showed us the love and mercy of God for all his creatures. When Jesus brought Thomas to faith, we have one of the greatest expressions of faith in all the Gospels come out of the mouth of the skeptic: “My Lord and my God.”
Thomas Merton wrote in his book Asian Journal, “Faith is not the suppression of doubt. It is the overcoming of doubt, and you overcome doubt by going through it. The believer who has never experienced doubt is not a believer.” Unlike some Christians who profess Jesus in the church but deny him in public places, Thomas was very honest. He did not pretend to believe when he did not. He needed certainty to make his fundamental option for Jesus. Once he got it, he gave it everything. The Gospel suggests that such honesty is never far removed from authentic faith.
Let us recognize today that just as the risen Lord addressed Thomas’ discontent, he is always ready to address our discontent and that of every human being. We are simply people who have been wounded by injustice and marked by various life experiences, both good and bad. But as baptized followers of the crucified and risen Lord, let’s be marked above all by the forgiving peace of Christ. He is our living Lord and our God, who was crucified, died and rose for us so that we can truly learn to live and forgive in his name. That is why he also says to us today: “Peace be with you!”
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Livestream recording of the mass can also be viewed HERE.
Many a time, we see people glory in the misfortune that befall their enemies. It is very easy to believe that people who do certain things that we consider unwholesome, or people who are different and live differently, are doing something very wrong. Worse still, when people suffer as a result of their fault, for something they did, we say that it serves them right. There are many such examples today. That was precisely what those who came to Jesus in the gospel believed about the Galileans whom Pilate slaughtered and mingled their blood with their sacrifice. This human attitude and sense of justice work better when it has to do with someone else. But if one of our own is involved, the attitude quickly changes.
It was clear that those who had this judgment about the Galileans had a holier-than-thou attitude. For them, the Galileans were sinners while they were the holy ones. By making such a judgment, they distanced themselves from those Galileans. When you judge someone, condemn him or her, and distance yourself from the person, there is no way you can understand the situation of the person and be of help to him or her. As Mother Theresa rightly pointed out, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Last week, I read a piece titled, “The first time I wept in Church” written by a young Nigerian man named James Terna on his Facebook page. In that piece, he narrated how he always sat in the same seat at church to avoid distractions. For months, a quiet and almost invisible woman occupied the seat beside him, always alone and often tearful during Mass. At first, he paid little attention, but one Sunday, he noticed she was trembling and appeared unwell. He often considered speaking to her but never did. One Sunday, he resolved to talk to her after Mass but got distracted. When he finally turned around, she was gone. The next week, he planned to reach out to her, but she was absent for the first time. Week after week, her seat remained empty. Then, the parish announced her passing. She had died alone, with no family, and the church had to arrange her burial. The realization struck James deeply. He had been physically present in church but had failed to truly see the suffering soul beside him. He wept, just as the lady had wept many times before without being noticed. At her burial, James brought flowers, but it felt meaningless. He reflected on how often people neglect the suffering around them, only to show up when it’s too late—traveling miles for a funeral but failing to check in and care when it truly matters.
The readings we have today call us to repentance and go further to point out what is required of us to show that we truly repent. First, Jesus used the parable of the fig tree that failed to bear fruit to remind us of the saying, “By their fruits, you shall know them”. So, being repentant is shown by the fruit we bear. John the Baptist made it his theme when the people came to him for baptism. He told them, “Bear fruits that befit repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is not something we claim, but something that claims us – something that changes everything about us: our perspective about life and death, about our relationship with God and people around us, about our attitude to material things, our strivings in life, and so on. It is felt by those we relate to because the Godliness in a repented soul is readily felt, and leaves footprints wherever we go. The Christian life is not private. There must be synchronism between our private life and life in public. We cannot confess Jesus in the Church and deny him once we get out there in the public. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”.
Jesus went further to assure us that God is patient with the sinner just as the owner of the vineyard was patient with the unfruitful fig tree. But such patience has a time limit. For the fig tree, it was three years. For human beings, we do not know how long because no one knows when his or her life will end. The story of James Terna shows that God provides us with the opportunity to bear fruit by being God’s loving presence to someone in need. However, our ability to recognize such an opportunity depends on our understanding of what it means to live the life of God. It happens that we are so concentrated on ourselves, our salvation, our interests, and our well-being that we do not recognize the person next to us. Yet, when Jesus was discussing the criteria for attaining eternal life in heaven, he said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40). And that brings us to the first reading where we see Moses being sent to Egypt to liberate the Israelites in slavery.
Before the mission to Egypt, Moses had tried severally to fight for his people, having seen their pitiable situation. On one such occasion, he killed an Egyptian who was fighting an Israelite. But when the same Israelite betrayed him, he feared for his life and fled to Midian (Exodus 2:14). He started a new life with Jethro, the priest of Midian whose daughter he married. It was at this period that he was busy building up his family that God came to send him back to the same Egypt he was fleeing to liberate the people who betrayed him. The mission of Moses was not for his well being, but that of others. The text of the reading made it clear that the call of Moses was significant, filled with the strange phenomenon of a burning bush. He was not to find it easy. But when God revealed his name “I AM WHO I AM”, it became clear to Moses that what his human effort could not achieve is possible with God. What was required of him was to make himself available and let God do the rest.
When you realize that your life has a purpose that goes beyond your interest, you will begin to understand that you have a mission to accomplish. And that mission is given to you by God who is only waiting for you to say yes. Jesus came to accomplish a mission. He recognized it as something required of him by his Father. Moses was called to accomplish a mission. He could see the hand of God in that call. We are all called to accomplish one mission or the other. But without repentance from our self-centeredness, egoism, hatred, sin, and everything that blinds us and keeps us away from God, we would never recognize such a mission. Like Moses before his call, we would never understand the real purpose of our life on earth. We would live like any other animal: eat, drink, do one selfish thing or another, and die.
As we advance in our Lenten observances, let us recognize that Lent is a grace period to reflect on our lives and seek to understand the aspects of our lives that God is calling each of us to pay closer attention to become holy and ready for every mission He wishes to entrust into our hands. So, instead of wasting our limited time standing in judgment over those whom misfortune has befallen, let’s heed the warning of Paul in the second reading: learn from their misfortune so as not to experience such. More importantly, get ourselves ready to respond to the invitation to humble repentance and good works before our time on earth runs out.
February is a month of love, unity, and connection for Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda and its surrounding (FCCG) that gathered to celebrate not only the bond between couples but also the love that unites us all. A special Mass was held to mark the occasion, offering a beautiful blend of spiritual reflection and heartfelt blessing.
The highlight of the Mass was the couples’ blessing, where couples as well as other attendees gathered to receive a special blessing from Father Cyril. This beautiful tradition honors the couples’ commitment to one another and their shared journey of faith and love. As the couples stood together, hands clasped and hearts open, they received prayers for strength, health, and continued growth in their relationships. It was a moving moment that reminded all of the power of partnership and mutual support.
Flowers for All: A Symbol of Appreciation
As a gesture of gratitude and love for every attendee, the church also provided flowers to each person present. These flowers were more than just a decoration; they symbolized appreciation for the love and presence of each individual in the community. For the couples, it was a token of their shared bond, while for singles and families, it was a reminder of the beauty and significance of all relationships.
The gesture was simple yet meaningful, and the vibrant colors of the flowers brought an extra sense of joy and warmth to the celebration. The act of giving flowers reflected the church’s message that love, in all its forms, should be celebrated and cherished.
The Filipino Catholic Communities in the Netherlands celebrated the joyous season of Advent and Christmas with a series of meaningful events that brought together members of the community in Gouda and Hoofddorp. These events not only fostered the spirit of togetherness but also deepened the faith and traditions of the Filipino Catholics living abroad.
Simbang Gabi at Josephkerk, Gouda (December 18, 2024)
The festive celebrations began with the much-loved Simbang Gabi (Night Mass), held at Josephkerk in Gouda on December 18, 2024. Simbang Gabi, a tradition deeply cherished by Filipino Catholics, is a series of nine early morning or evening masses in anticipation of Christmas. For the FCCG, this event marked the beginning of their Christmas celebration, bringing together families and friends to pray and prepare spiritually for the birth of Christ.
This special mass was facilitated by Fr. Alan de Guzman, who led the congregation through a spiritually enriching service. His homily resonated deeply with the attendees, as he shared messages of hope, faith, and the importance of family during this holy season. The FCCG organized this event as a way to keep the Filipino Christmas traditions alive, even while living far from home.
Simbang Gabi at Joannes de Doper Kerk, Hoofddorp (December 19, 2024)
The Simbang Gabi continued the following evening at Joannes de Doper Kerk in Hoofddorp, where the Filipino Catholic Community members gathered to celebrate the anticipation of Christ’s birth. Like the previous night in Gouda, this mass was facilitated by Fr. Alan de Guzman, and was equally filled with prayer and reflection.
Both Simbang Gabi celebrations were sponsored by the Filipino Catholic Community Gouda and its Surrounding (FCCG), a vibrant and welcoming community that offers support to Filipino Catholics in the region. These events allowed participants to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their shared faith and cultural traditions.
Christmas Mass and FCCG Christmas Party at Josephkerk, Gouda (December 22, 2024)
The festive atmosphere continued on December 22, 2024, with a special Christmas Mass at Josephkerk in Gouda and was facilitated by Fr. Marcel. This mass marked the culmination of the Christmas celebrations for the FCCG. The church was filled with joy and reverence as the community came together to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Following the mass, the FCCG Christmas Party took place, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. DJ Norie provided the music, ensuring that the event was filled with energy and excitement. The highlight of the evening was a special performance by Merlinda Dano, whose voice resonated with warmth and love, perfectly capturing the spirit of the holiday season.
In addition to the music, the evening was filled with Christmas caroling by the FCCG choir, which performed beloved Filipino Christmas carols. The choir’s beautiful renditions of traditional Christmas songs brought the crowd into a spirit of celebration and unity.
A Season of Joy, Faith, and Fellowship
The FCCG’s celebration of Simbang Gabi, the Christmas Mass, and the Christmas Party was a testament to the strength of faith, family, and Filipino traditions. It was a heartwarming way for members of the community to share joy, build lasting memories, and reflect on the significance of Christmas, even as they were far from home.
On November 24, 2024, the Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda and its surrounding areas (FCCG) gathered to witness a significant milestone in the lives of Teunis, Kevin, and Elpi. Teunis and Kevin received the sacrament of Baptism, while Elpi was confirmed, with Fr. Marcel officiating the ceremonies at H.-Josephkerk in Gouda. These sacraments hold profound significance in the Catholic Church, marking essential stages in a person’s faith journey.
Baptism, the first of the sacraments, symbolizes spiritual rebirth and the cleansing of sin. For Teunis and Kevin, their adult baptisms were a conscious and heartfelt decision to embrace the Catholic faith, signifying their commitment to beginning a new life in Christ. Through Baptism, they were welcomed into the Church, entering into a sacred relationship with God and the faith community.
Confirmation, which follows Baptism, strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit and deepens one’s connection to the Church. For Elpi, receiving this sacrament was a reaffirmation of her faith, equipping her with the grace and strength to live more fully as a disciple of Christ. It also marked her readiness to take on a more active role in the Catholic community, carrying forward the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Fr. Marcel led the ceremonies with care and reverence, guiding Teunis, Kevin, and Elpi through these transformative moments. The members of the FCCG gathered in joyful support, bearing witness to this profound step in their spiritual journeys.
Through Baptism and Confirmation, Teunis, Kevin, and Elpi were not only strengthened in their faith but also deepened their connection to the Catholic Church, embarking on a new chapter in their spiritual lives. Their commitment serves as an inspiration to the community, reminding everyone of the beauty and power of faith.
