April 15, 2021 – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041521.cfm)

Usually, we see things not as they are, but as we are. Normally we see things as we are, not as they are. The way we see things are always clouded by our own perspective. The way we look at realities is usually limited by our own understanding. That is why we see things by what we only understand and not what it really is. And at times, in seeing things, we do need to suspend judgment & try to be more open to other possibilities because things might not & more than what it seems.

For instance, to promote consumerism & shopping spree during Christmas holiday season, in a non-Christian Japan, a crucified Santa Claus was placed on the display section thinking Christians buyers would be attracted to buy their lingerie products. For a non-believers, it is just for promotion, but for a believers, there is a reason for the Christmas season; not the crucifixion of Santa Claus but the birth of Jesus Christ. In the same way, sticking chopsticks standing on a bowl of rice means nothing for us, but it is a no-no for Japanese since it is bad luck & for Chinese it reminds of funeral.

That is why we should be aware of how we see things because we tend to see things not as they are, or not as it is, but as we see things as we are.

The main issue and at the very heart of our readings today is the question on how people see things & realities differently.

The birth of Christianity in the Acts of the apostles is a dangerous political movement for the Jewish courts & hierarchy. But for the Apostles & Christian followers, it is the testimony of the risen Lord & the chance for them to bear witness & proclaim to others God’s offer of salvation to all. Here we are reminded as Christians that we see things differently. While others see things differently as they are, we Christians also see things differently since we see what is happening & going on in our lives with the eyes of Faith in the risen Lord. Because we believe in the Risen Lord & of our faith in Jesus Christ, we see life in faith & we look with faith in life.

This is what Jesus is teaching us in our gospel today. He said to us: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life.” In other words, eternal life for those who believes, damnation for those who don’t believe. Our faith then makes us Christian in life. And He wants us to see things in life with faith in Him. For us Christians believers, a Cross means everything. But for non-believers, a Cross means nothing.

Perhaps now we ask ourselves: How do we see life as we experience it now? Do we see things – what is happening & going with us now – with the eye of faith, as we believe in the risen Lord? During this Easter season, what is it that the Lord want me to see now in our lives?

Open wide our eyes Oh Lord that we may see what you want us to see now in life, so that may we believe You deeply & through us, others may also believe You.

So Help us God. So May it be. Amen.