PENTECOST SUNDAY

I want to leave one final reflection on the Holy Land this week. There is so much in the one pilgrimage that I could reflect on it for years. One of the most powerful places for me is the empty tomb of Jesus. The location of the tomb marked by an Edicule or shrine-like structure. Recent excavations have shown that under this location truly is the tomb of Jesus.
 
As a group we were able to celebrate Mass in this place. There is something truly surreal about this because the tomb as special as it is, is empty. I always here the words of the angel to Mary Magdalene, “The one you are looking for is not here”… He is Risen. To visit the Holy Land is not just to go visit the places where he WALKED, but to see the places where He WALKS, for He is risen indeed!
 
Yet, as Christians come to the tomb, as Mass is celebrated, Christ who is risen is once again present in the tomb. We often say that God is everywhere but He is also present in certain places. As Christians we bring Christ to every place we go, but even more so at every Mass we celebrate.
 
This past week, we had the terrible news of the shooting at the school in Uvalde, and the question that can come up is, “Where is God in all this?” “Why does God allow this to happen?” Christ is present, and when we receive the Eucharist, as far as we are open to His grace, we become His presence. Christ sends us out, and there is a call that is real… We need to go out into our community and find places that need Gods love and put it there.
 
Please join me in prayer for the community and families of Uvalde, and let’s pray that we can become the presence of Christ risen in this world and let the world be changed through us.
 

 

Pax Christi,
Fr. Khoi