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| Your VRS celebrating Passover, one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. In Seder, the ritual dinner consists of storytelling, prayers, and symbolic food items. |
It's hard to believe that after an entire year of uncertainty, Passover (Pesach) has once again arrived.
And
this week is holy to both Jews and Christians—the celebration of
Passover, for Jews, which started Saturday evening, and of Holy Week
(Passion Week) , the commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection,
which started on Sunday, Palm Sunday.
For
Christians, the week allows the faithful to commemorate the passion,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a week to prepare for
Easter Sunday, which is the most important Christian holiday, because it
is through Christ’s sacrifice that humanity became reconciled with
G-d.
Passover tells the story of the
persecution of the Jewish people and their exodus from Egypt. It is
observed for seven or eight days and marked with two ceremonial diners,
known as seders, and it is a time to acknowledge the suffering of
others, as well as, celebrate freedom.
Jewish
people across the world refrain from eating bread and other leavened
food for eight days – instead eating unleavened bread (matzo) and bitter
herbs at home called a Seder (which means “order” in Hebrew) is
celebrated around a dinner table.
This time
though, even as many of us are still deeply affected by the coronavirus
disease, we thank G-d that vaccines are rolling out, and we finally see
hope that this crisis will soon “pass over” us.
Let us be thankful to G-d for for His blessings.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Passover!
* * *
Last
week, I'd received notification from Katrina Tuñacao, the assigned
contact tracer, that I am tested negative for the coronavirus
(COVID-19).
I entered self-isolation on March
15 after I learned that I was exposed to friends (at least three of
them) who contracted the virus.
For peace of mind, I decided to proceed with the COVID-19 test out of care and caution for my family and the community.
I am very grateful to all of you who have kept me in your prayers or who have sent me well wishes and notes of encouragement.
Our
special thanks to Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan (the host of popular "The
Doctor Is In" , the only public health program in Bohol) for checking my
health and other mediamen who were potentially exposed to someone with
COVID-19. Thanks also to Reichyl Dumaluan-Vallente for the rice ayuda
for us.
I ask for your continued prayers for
those who have died from this virus and for those who remain in
self-isolation because of it.
We pray for our
health workers and first responders who dedicate their lives every day
to fighting for our lives, even while putting their own at risk.
My
heart is filled with joy because G-d has given me another chance to
choose life as I am able to celebrate the Passover Seder..
The
Torah (Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses) repeatedly reminds us that
human life is precious and a gift from G-d. In this pandemic, we stand
together and are reminded to choose life.
Rock of Ages and Source of Life,
Bring an end to disease and suffering,
So that all may know
Your compassion and Your grace.
Praised are You, G-d, healer of flesh, maker of wonders.
G-d is good all the time! Baruch HaShem Adonai!
* * *
Thanks
for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.
