Emmaus moments
The story is told about a distressed woman who lost her car key. Imagine how her face lighted up when the locksmith looked at her and mumbled: “You’re a model?” She was still dazed when the locksmith asked her again: “Year and model of your car, please.”
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 24, 13-35), we hear about the two disciples who encountered the Risen Lord on their way to Emmaus. Their sadness turned into joy. The presence and the words of the Lord removed the darkness in their minds and hearts. May we experience our own “Emmaus” moments with the Lord, and with one another during this war against COVID-19.
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“Stay with us, Lord.” Let this be our constant prayer. Let us not lose sight of God, and let us not lose hope. There is someone greater than us who can give us courage, hope, and meaning in all that is happening. Let us stay focused on Jesus, not on the virus.
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“Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way, and opened the Scriptures to us?” Let us listen to the Lord as He speaks to us, in prayer and in the Scriptures. Let us see the signs of the times with the eyes of faith, and see the hand of God in everything that is unfolding around us, and within us.
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Feeling bored, anxious, impatient, empty? When the lockdown makes us feel locked in and down, let us learn to just trust the Lord more (“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46,10), and let us learn to live one day at a time. Don’t be on the “rewind” or the “forward” mode. Just let it play, one day at a time.
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The lockdown has made me simplify my daily agenda, thus: to praise and to please God today; to pray for and help others in any way today; to be healthy, happy, and holy today.
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A government official texted me this week asking for prayers. Let us pray for persons in authority to be granted the wisdom, and strength of body, and of character, so that they can carry out their God-given duty to so many people who depend on their goodness and generosity.
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“When you’ve done everything you can do, that’s when God will step in, and do what you cannot do’’ (2 Cor. 12,10). Let’s all pray for a miracle! Let us pray that sooner than soon, our scientists and researchers will be led to find and make available the drug/vaccine/antidote to subdue COVID-19. Let us all pray for this miracle earnestly, every day.
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Let us pray for one more miracle: That we will come out of this war against COVID-19 not only victorious, but also more virtuous. May we all become better persons in all aspects, because we have been tested and purified.
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Thank you to many unknown and hidden people who share prayers, time, talents, treasures, and sunshine during these difficult times. God bless your good and generous hearts!
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Someone suggested this friendly reminder: “Every time you hear an ambulance speeding by, say a prayer for the patient and the driver, and the frontliners; Every time you hear a sports car or a motorbike roaring by, say a prayer for their drivers, too, to let go of their toys so that they can help others, and give joy.” The message is clear: Especially these days, let us all share generously our prayers and treasures.
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A moment with the Lord:Lord, may these days of quarantine and lockdown become our Emmaus moments with You. Amen.
