The Gospel today is part of Jesus’ ‘farewell message’ during the Last Supper. Jesus knew He was nearing his death, and that His disciples were anxious about what will happen in the coming hours or days. But the question is, are we willing to listen to this message? Are we ready to accept this message?

When someone dies because of COVID-19, they have to be cremated within 12 hours. There are no wakes where the family can still see their loved one for a final time. Wakes are also the time when we can gather together to comfort each other in times of grief. Let us not think that the pandemic prevents us from celebrating and remembering their lives. Through the use of social media, we can celebrate life and remember the things that they had done, said or taught us. Through this remembering, we can also be comforted and begin the process of acceptance for what has happened.

We may have many questions right now: Why is this happening? When will this end? We have many what’s, why’s, and if’s, and we do not have answers to these questions. Yet, we can lament and learn to open our hearts and ears to God’s message to us in the process. We also need to pray that, as we listen to His message of love, even without the answers we want to hear, we may have the willingness and ability to accept His will.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

Today’s Gospel

Jn 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”