Fr. Milanese is an experienced and efficient parish priest. Usually, the Easter Vigil Mass lasts for about three hours. This year, he managed to finish everything within two and a half hours.
Priests tend to drag on during major celebrations such as midnight mass and the Easter Vigil and they have good reasons for doing so. First of all, the attendance is high. Many nominal Catholics would turn up, once a year on these occasions. Many relatives and friends would come to witness the baptism of their loved ones. Even outsiders would come to enjoy the mood of midnight masses. The solemnity of the liturgy would be very impressive. These are really good occasions for evangelization. In our parish, the Church per se is unable to accommodate so many people. In recent years, the parish arranges live broadcast in the covered playground which is able to house an extra 300 more people. How much we desire the ordinary Sunday masses to be full-house like these major celebrations.
Priests tend to drag on during major celebrations such as midnight mass and the Easter Vigil and they have good reasons for doing so. First of all, the attendance is high. Many nominal Catholics would turn up, once a year on these occasions. Many relatives and friends would come to witness the baptism of their loved ones. Even outsiders would come to enjoy the mood of midnight masses. The solemnity of the liturgy would be very impressive. These are really good occasions for evangelization. In our parish, the Church per se is unable to accommodate so many people. In recent years, the parish arranges live broadcast in the covered playground which is able to house an extra 300 more people. How much we desire the ordinary Sunday masses to be full-house like these major celebrations.
The homily of Fr. Milanese is usually very biblical in the scholarly way. But tonight, he switched tactics to suit the audience. He told us a story to teach us how to see miracles.
Joshua's grandfather had been very sick. Doctors had advised Joshua not to waste money on medicine any more. Joshua refused to give up. He firmly believed that there would be miracles. He sought all kinds of religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, New Ages etc., to no avail. At last, Joshua doubted whether God really existed. If God were merciful and almighty, why would He allow sufferings?
It so happened that he was in the neighbourhood of one of his friends and Joshua was exhausted. He needed a break, mentally as well as physically. So, Joshua went up to the flat of his friend, only to find that he had been badly injured in a domestic accident, lying in a pool of blood. Joshua immediately called the ambulance and his friend was rushed to the hospital. Luckily, his condition was stable.
Late that evening, Joshua visited his friend again in the hospital. His friend smiled and said softly, "It's a miracle. I would have died, you know." Joshua said, "No, it was just coincidence. I just happened to be in the neighbourhood."
"No. Joshua. It is a miracle. You are a godsend to me."
Joshua began to have a better understanding of miracles. Some days later, his grandfather recovered. Could it be coincidental? Not for Joshua.
Early on the first Easter morning, some women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two men appeared and asked them why they sought the living among the dead (Luke 24:1-5). For the women, it was no coincidence. It was a miracle. God's hand was at work. This miracle was destined to change the lives of millions of people in the generations to come. We need to keep our mind and heart open to be able to see and sustain God's miracles.
Joshua's grandfather had been very sick. Doctors had advised Joshua not to waste money on medicine any more. Joshua refused to give up. He firmly believed that there would be miracles. He sought all kinds of religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, New Ages etc., to no avail. At last, Joshua doubted whether God really existed. If God were merciful and almighty, why would He allow sufferings?
It so happened that he was in the neighbourhood of one of his friends and Joshua was exhausted. He needed a break, mentally as well as physically. So, Joshua went up to the flat of his friend, only to find that he had been badly injured in a domestic accident, lying in a pool of blood. Joshua immediately called the ambulance and his friend was rushed to the hospital. Luckily, his condition was stable.
Late that evening, Joshua visited his friend again in the hospital. His friend smiled and said softly, "It's a miracle. I would have died, you know." Joshua said, "No, it was just coincidence. I just happened to be in the neighbourhood."
"No. Joshua. It is a miracle. You are a godsend to me."
Joshua began to have a better understanding of miracles. Some days later, his grandfather recovered. Could it be coincidental? Not for Joshua.
Early on the first Easter morning, some women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two men appeared and asked them why they sought the living among the dead (Luke 24:1-5). For the women, it was no coincidence. It was a miracle. God's hand was at work. This miracle was destined to change the lives of millions of people in the generations to come. We need to keep our mind and heart open to be able to see and sustain God's miracles.
At the end of the liturgy, each member of the pastoral team said a few words to the congregation. Fr. Milanese thanked all of us who worked hard to make the liturgy of these three days a success. Fr. Martin told us yet another story.
A successful millionaire made his fortune in soap business, but he refused to believe in God. One day, he paid a visit to the local abbot, intending to challenge him of the existence of God. They took a walk in the field and the millionaire jumped into action.
"See? There are so many sufferings in the world. Therefore there must be no God."
The abbot did not respond and kept walking. It so happened that two young boys were wrestling in the mud.
"See? There are so many dirty people in the world. Therefore, there must be no soap."
"No. If only people buy soap and wash themselves, there will be no dirtiness."
"No. If only people buy the idea of God and practise themselves, there will be no sufferings."
My dear readers, will you buy the idea of God and practise?
A successful millionaire made his fortune in soap business, but he refused to believe in God. One day, he paid a visit to the local abbot, intending to challenge him of the existence of God. They took a walk in the field and the millionaire jumped into action.
"See? There are so many sufferings in the world. Therefore there must be no God."
The abbot did not respond and kept walking. It so happened that two young boys were wrestling in the mud.
"See? There are so many dirty people in the world. Therefore, there must be no soap."
"No. If only people buy soap and wash themselves, there will be no dirtiness."
"No. If only people buy the idea of God and practise themselves, there will be no sufferings."
My dear readers, will you buy the idea of God and practise?
Dear Lord, without the witnesses of generations of Christians, the world would never be the same again. Now that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken in, empower us with Your Spirit to actualize this new creation on earth. Amen.
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