A Word from Fr Jaybee 5/4/2020

What’s beyond the lockdown? Greetings of peace brothers and sisters... I hope you are all well... It is hard to believe that we are in this uncomfortable condition of life for two weeks now; staying in our respective places, for self/family isolation or home/community quarantine, as our response to the given directives in order to limit the spread of the virus. I have a heavy heart with not seeing each other in the celebration of the Mass and other parish gatherings and events, and ridiculously not doing our usual daily routine. When I heard all these things that even towns and states are locking down boundaries, I pinched my arms and cheeks... then ask myself IS THIS IS FOR REAL? I could not imagine that in this SOPHISTICATED world, where world leaders are competing to invent the best nuclear weapons, inventors and manufacturers are competing with the most advance and modern gadgets and yet the whole world is now scared of the corona virus pandemic because no vaccine can cure or stop it. While staying at the Presbytery for self-isolation, I realised that this isolation/lockdown due to covid-19 has brought so many good things despite of the fear we have. Staying in our respective homes helps us to realise that, yes, our tired and stressed body and mind need time to relax. It helps us to do the things that we set aside because we don’t have time to do it. We find time to spend with other family members that we set aside because we are busy and don’t have time for them. As I talked to people over the phone, they shared that they are enjoying their time spent with family members and strengthening their bonds. What awaits us after this crisis? We all don’t know what will happen. One thing for sure is that we realise and learn something or lessons that will guide us to face what lies in the future. Most importantly, it strengthened our FAITH AND TRUST TO OUR GOD, our only hope in this most challenging condition of our life, as he is the one who can lead us the way to a good and rich future. Let us join our mind and heart in prayer for healing and safety for our family, community and the whole world. HOLY WEEK 2020 Palm Sunday Our gospel tells us the story of betrayal that leads Jesus to his arrest, trial and death. Within this Holy Week, we remember Jesus’ violent and tragic death, which turn into a blessing as it gives life to humanity. His suffering and death show us how to live a faithful life as we obviously noticed his humility and obedience to the will of his Father. Through Jesus’ suffering, we realised that God chose to come closer to us and experience what we suffer. And that event of Jesus’ life helps us to realise that he is a God who fully understands our own condition/situation. Moreover, it helps us to open up ourselves and come to him to establish a strong filial relationship with him. Holy Thursday Jesus washed the feet of his apostles that manifest his humility. Jesus’ gesture of humility touches the heart of every individual. A humility that manifest of being a good leader who knows to bend his knees in the service of the lowly. A Rabbi who helps us realise and understand the real essence/meaning of his words: “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (Lk 22:26). “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). Good Friday This day is a very significant day in the life of the Church as expressed in the Church liturgical calendar. WHY? The whole Catholic Church didn’t have Mass celebrations but still gathered the faithful in the Church to venerate the cross - to observe and honour Jesus’ triumphant victory over death and eternal damnation. Through his death on the cross he brought us back to the bosom of our heavenly Father. Let us, then, reflect God’s tremendous love on this special day where Jesus, the Son of God, defeated Satan for our salvation. God Bless, Fr Jaybee