Bible Text: “I still have many things to say to you but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth”. John 16. 12-15
Jesus Christ is in high spirits to tell many stories how God has love the world and humanity but He knew very well His disciples will just be overwhelmed by the beautiful stories that happened in the past, taking place in the present and a lot more that will be unveiled in the future. He definitely knew that his followers need enlightenment so that they will be interested and receive spiritual benefits from the narrations of Jesus. His life is not only a tale to tell but a way of life to live by His followers.
Yesterday, I received a phone call from a parishioner to reach out and to assure me of her prayers. In the course of our conversation, I asked her, what do you want to see in our parish community as we are preparing for the new normal? I was greatly impressed when she said, during this period of pandemic, we use telephone and other social media for trying our very best to be connected with one another even though we are far apart. We try to extend whatever help we can offer spiritual, psychological or material help. However, there are some tendencies of not being comfortable with one another. There is a seeming barrier among us that we need to break. I begin to realize that being comfortable with one another is extremely difficult if in the past we do not come to gather to share our stories enlightened by the very life of Christ.” Jesus in the gospel is reminding us once again about the importance of bible sharing in our parish communities. Bible study is a certain way to sustain and nourish our souls with the stories of Jesus Christ. We believe that stories of Jesus which are recorded in the bible are not ordinary stories of heroism and love but it is spirit and life. The more we listen to the stories of Jesus, the more they become personalize to us and eventually will inspire us to tell our own stories of spiritual transformation. Without it, our parish will just be a mere crowd, no real concern for one another; not open with one another; no one and common direction. With bible study, we will be like the Israelites in the desert who are solely guided by one word and one spirit from God. This is what I am looking forward for the new normal. I am thankful that a parishioner has unselfishly identified it. May it be desired by each one of us when we will be finally permitted to gather together as a community.