What are your plans for today? As we anticipate Easter, and we confess today Jesus’ descent to the dead, take the time to intercede for family members, relatives and friends who have died within the year - Daily Reflections April 19,2014

LOOKING FOR JESUS   There are no Masses or any liturgical gatherings in churches today. This is to remind us that during the first Holy Week, this day is properly “Black Saturday.” The Blessed Mother, the Eleven, and the women disciples — after burying Jesus in a borrowed tomb — could have spent this day in sorrow, in blank stares, lost in mixed emotions of pain, loss, anxiety, senselessness and suspended anticipation for what is to come. In a way, we, the disciples of today, are more blessed for we know that this day ends in victory, in the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. In fact, many would spend this day, no longer in silence and sober solemnity, but in celebration. Some would go to the beaches to enjoy the cool and fresh waters. Others, like music ministers and sacristans, would be busy rehearsing for the Easter Vigil tonight.        One thing binds us both. The story of Mary and the disciples in suspended anticipation, and the preoccupations now of contemporary Christians: all these underscore how the presence of Jesus alive is the essence of our lives. Our lives revolve around Jesus. Mary and the first community of believers were “looking for Jesus” in their grief and loss. On our part, we “look forward to Jesus” in our preparations to celebrate the liturgies of Easter.        The Christian Creed, formulated by Fathers of both the Western (Roman Catholic) and the Eastern (Orthodox) Christians, makes us aware of another important reality of this day. Amidst the silence and loss that the first disciples had as they “looked for Jesus” in their sorrowing hearts, the fact is — Jesus, in His spirit, was alive! His body laid in the tomb, but His Spirit “descended to the dead” to visit all the souls who had died before He came for the mission of salvation. This day, as the living are “looking for Jesus,” Jesus has gone looking for all who have died. To them, He communicates the gift of salvation and He opens the entrance of the heavenly kingdom. His saving sacrifice on the Cross was the key needed to do all these. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP   REFLECTION QUESTION: What are your plans for today? As we anticipate Easter, and we confess today Jesus’ descent to the dead, take the time to intercede for family members, relatives and friends who have died within the year.   Today, Lord, let me lift up to You all my family members, relatives and friends who are still in purgatory, awaiting for their time to be admitted into Your Kingdom.