Sunday, March 23, 2008 Lagura: Giving thanks at Easter By Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD in the service of the word
RIGHT after Easter the parish of St. Therese will celebrate with their missionary priest-pastor, Fr. Francis, his golden jubilee as a priest. At the end of the jubilee mass the choir will render “Handel’s Halleluiah” as well as the Latin song, “Gaudeamus igitur” (Therefore let us rejoice).
At Easter when peoples of all ages have all the reason to say, “Thank you!” I fondly recall the years I served in the island parishes of Siargao, Socorro and Dinagat. As the Easter Vigil comes to a close, the parishioners, instead of going home to sleep then get up early the next day, would immediately hold the traditional “sugat” with the men folk processing in one direction in order to meet with the women coming from the other direction.
At the meeting point a choir of children, dressed as angels would sing the solemnly lovely Marian hymn, “Regina coeli, laetare, Alleluiah” (O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Allelluiah). As the fingers of dawn crept into the sky a “budjong” would sound the start of the Easter egg-hunt. Children would scamper around the church plaza looking for colored eggs hidden among bushes, behind rocks and even in low-lying tree branches. Easter Sunday culminated with a parish picnic in one of the fabulously beautiful beaches God has blessed the islands with.
The main reason for people to give thanks on Easter is Christ’s monumental victory over sin and death. This he accomplished by obeying wholeheartedly the Father’s will even though it meant an agonizing death and subsequently going down to the bowels of hell, there to vanquish sin and death which reigned in the absence of God. God’s love ultimately triumphed. Satan is defeated, and his promises shown to be empty.
Even if the Lord’s resurrection cannot be taken as a clearly documented event, the mystery of the Risen Christ who appeared at various times and in diverse places to his disciples has shed light that overcomes darkness, has given love that triumphed over selfishness and hatred; finally, it has provided hope where despair once lurked. Peter, unreliable at times despite his enthusiasm, finally became the rock of Christ’s Church. Mary, the once notorious sinner from Magdala, felt clean, accepted and loved in the presence of the risen Lord.
The other disciples, having shed their timidity and fear, were filled with incredible courage and steadfastness in preaching the Risen Jesus. Age and illness may have slowed Fr. Francis a bit. Threats of super typhoons might instill fear among the islanders, but their faith has buoyed these hardy souls to open their hearts and souls. Armed with courage tempered by prudence they bravely face perils in their lives. Moreover, they can rightly say, “Thank you, Lord!” with a gratitude that through the years shows itself in lives that have become more compassionate but still daring in living their faith.
