Peace be with you on this Mother’s Day, 2020!!!

Jesus is like a mother in today’s Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter. He has to reassure some of his disciples that He is the way, the truth and the life, just like a mother reassuring her children when something goes wrong that she knows how to mend things.

Today, May 10, is also the Feast Day of our Patron Saint, St. Damien of Molokai, whose Mass we will celebrate via YouTube tomorrow, Monday, May 11, and will be available to view after 9am Hawaii from the Chapel of St. Joseph’s in Kamalo, Molokai, one of the chapels Father Damien built topside back in 1876-1877.

Trust, hope and knowledge in the Lord – these things we must have and cultivate if we wish to know the peace of the Lord God in our lives. In these times of uncertainty and fear, we depend on the Lord and our faith in Him to strengthen us and give us courage to face our challenges, whatever they may be!

As our places of worship remain closed to the public through May 31, we look forward to, as the disciples in the Upper Room, celebrating the Good News together at some point down the road, even though it may involve social distancing for the sake of health and safety, especially for our kupuna’s. We know that despite the fears, doubts, and unknowns that the future holds, we have the words of Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life!”

Pray for our church and civic leaders, that their directives are for the good of the people.
A Reflection by Fr. Brian:

(continued from yesterday)

As we watched the news and weather channel, it looked like Hurricane Harvey was coming ashore well south of Houston, where we were scheduled to fly to. So, we didn’t think we were in any danger. Little did we know the adventure we had ahead!

We boarded the United jumbo jet in Honolulu bound non-stop for Houston’s Bush International Airport. And, as we began our return flight back to the mainland, we were not aware that Hurricane Harvey had doubled back and was now heading up the Texas coast towards Houston. We settled in to our long flight back to Texas as Hurricane was gaining strength and moisture.

As we were approaching Houston the pilot said that there would be some turbulence on our descent into Bush International. Little did we know however that Harvey was starting to pound Houston with wind and torrential rain. Our descent was bumpy and you could see horizontal rain driving across the wings of the plane as we began our descent into Bush airport.

I was seated next to a window and looked down as we came in for our landing. Then, I could see the runway through the rain just below us. But, as soon as I could see the tarmac, the plane began to go up. It seemed the pilot had to pull us up out of our landing because of something not right. The passengers gasped as we ascended and the pilot came on and said, “Well folks, we’ll have to try that again!”

Thank God it was a big plane, big enough to be able to land in the middle of a hurricane!

On our second try, we landed successfully, and, as soon as we touched down, everyone cheered!

We made it!

Later, we found out that we were the last plane allowed to land at Bush airport before they closed it to all incoming traffic. If it wasn’t a jumbo jet, we could not have made it. And, even at that, it took us two tries!

(Stay tuned tomorrow for the continuing saga of the Damien pilgrims!)

Our Scriptures today tell us that hope in the power of God, and in His Son, Jesus, will lead to the spread of the Good News to all the world and that this will bring joy, the Holy Spirit, salvation and glory to all who believe. Take the example of deacons like Stephen, who served the poor and needy, that in knowing the Good News, we can do the works of Lord with compassion and grace!

May Almighty God bless you and your ohana, + In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Alleluia!

Scripture:

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. The eyes of the Lord are upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.” (Psalm 33)

“Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. That you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 1)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus said to Thomas, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” (John 14)

Blessings, pono and pule!

Fr. Brian, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai