Fr. Martin began his homily today with something totally irrelevant to the bible readings today --- public phone booth. Yet, he was able to make the link. Last summer, he went camping with the altar boys in Xavier House on Cheung Chau Island. He found a public phone booth in Xavier House and he was puzzled and doubted the usefulness of such an archaic fixture in Hong Kong today. After spending one day in Cheung Chau, he began to appreciate its usefulness. Most of their mobile phones went out of service because Cheung Chau Island is one of the blind spots in these outlying islands these service providers are unable to cover. The public phone booth saved the day. Fr. Martin immediately hit on the theme of "blind spots" in our life.
The gospel reading today was a continuation of the Emmau story. On Easter morning, two disillusioned disciples left Jerusalem for Emmau. On the way, Jesus appeared to them but they could not recognize him. Had Jesus' look changed so much so that after resurrection, even his disciples and relatives could not recognize him? For them, Jesus was dead and buried. It was impossible to see him alive again. Resurrection was something alien to them. Nobody could come back to life by himself. OK, Jesus had raised the only son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus and his good friend Lazarus. But this time, Jesus himself was dead. Who else could be able to raise him from the dead? This was their blind spot. Later during dinner, Jesus performed something they were familiar with.
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30).
Even if they did not participate in the Last Supper, they must have seen this gesture at the feed of 5000. It was something they had seen for themselves. Only then were they able to recognize this man who had been accompanying in their journey for so long.
And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight (Luke 24:31).
Immediately, they hurried back to Jerusalem to report to the apostles. They confirmed that Jesus had risen and appeared to Simon Peter. At this moment, Jesus joined them.
But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.
And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? (Luke 24:37-38)
It was all the more amazing that they thought they had seen a ghost, given that three of them had encountered the risen Jesus before! How could they be so blind and so frightened? Resurrection was something too hard for them to accept.
Jesus had to reassure them with a series of steps, showing them his wounds and eating a piece of broiled fish before them.
And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
and he took it and ate before them (Luke 24:41-43).
Luke explained that they were too overjoyed to believe. Have we ever been too overjoyed to believe? We had better do otherwise we would have missed a lot of good things in our life. Remember, God always surprises us.
Fr. Martin pointed out that our vision was limited. We are blind to things further ahead of us, like driving in the dark. Yet, we must keep driving ahead until we reach our destination. Then he handed over the remaining time to Sr. Arokia Mary Thangapragasam, a missionary nun from India, to share her vocation call. When we talk about religious matters in India, we will usually think of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism etc. However, Catholic tradition had St. Thomas the Apostle martyred in India. Indeed, Sr. Thangapragasam has been brought up in a Catholic family of several generations. She wanted to become a nun when she was 10. At 16, she asked for advice from the local bishop who told her to continue her study for two more years before she went ahead. So at 18, Arokia began her exploration among the religious orders until she ended up in ISME. It has been a long process for her to know God's will and answer His call.
Today, I took a step forward to ask for an appointment with Deacon Tsang. I have procrastinated for too long. I must act before it is too late.
Dear Lord, I have a lot of blind spots. Open my eyes to discern Your will. I have procrastinated for too long. Prod me ahead. Amen.
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