Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
John 20:19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear
of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said
this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said
to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this,
he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them
when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless
I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I
will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came,
although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my
side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not
seen and have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not
written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son
of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
Reflection
The Glory of the Lord has risen upon us. Alleluia. Alleluia. The Gospel proclaims that the Resurrection of
Christ is the fulfillment of all that is stated in Holy Scripture. He is the Word incarnate, who dwell with us.
One of the disciples named Thomas could not believe that his Lord has risen, so he declared, “Unless I see
in his hands the print of the nails, in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Sometimes, we are faced with
different situations we do not expect, and we wanted proofs before believing. We have questions and doubts
in our minds whether He is real and whether He is with us in our times of need and in times of disaster. But
in the eyes of faith, we have to believe in order to see. We believe that the Lord is with us especially in the
facing of this COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that the Lord is together with the doctors all over the world in
fighting the disease. He is guiding and protecting the doctors. All we need to do is to believe and to show
how strong our faith in the Lord in this trial. We believe that all of this will come to an end as well. We profess
our faith because we believe that God is the source of everything, and we believe
in the Greatness of His reign. Lord’s greeting of “Peace” brings calmness and peace to our hearts and minds
because He will never leave us forever. It is the Lord who gives us comfort and relieve our fears. The Gospel
invites us to trust the Lord in facing this trial. it is an invitation to all of us not to be afraid or anxious because He is with us. He will always guide health workers to put an end to this epidemic. Have we always trusted and believe in the Lord in times of our weaknesses and trials?
Lasallian Guiding Principle
The LGP states that, Zeal “involves a preferential concern for the poor and the vulnerable.” As Christians we
need to get up and face the challenges in life. Everyone is working to reach out to help the most, especially
the poor and excluded. Doctors, nurses, health workers, and other sectors come together to sacrifice to help
and save the majority. What is interesting here is that we see the spirit of heroism in everyone. We find the
meaning of our existence by helping and reaching out to those who are in need.
Oratio Imperata on the Threat of the COVID-19 (CBCP)
God our Father,
we come to You in our need to ask Your protection
against the COVID-19 that has disturbed us
and claimed many lives.
We pray that You guide the people tasked to find cure
for this disease and to stem its transmission.
Protect the medical experts and healthcare personnel
that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted. May they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them. Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us grace in this trying time to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore You to stop the spread of this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
who lives and reigns with You,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Value: ZEAL FOR SERVICE (Nurturing Service)
Culture Themes: We give selflessly and receive graciously
Productivity Themes: Going the extra mile
ICV Week 4: We manifest perseverance during hard times.
Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved March 25, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp
Prepared: Maximino B. Peji Jr, DLSMHSI – LFSAO through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages,
Lasallian Formation and Social Action
Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration
of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.
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