OMIWORLD
The “Salubong” or “Encuentro” is a religious tradition in the Philippines which is the re-enactment of encounter between the risen Lord Jesus and his grieving Mother. It is held early dawn every Easter Sunday.
People would really wake up early to join the procession and the “salubong” in a designated place usually a crossroad. The place is already jampacked with people. The images will come from both ends of the road slowly approaching one another and once the images meet, a little girl dressed like an angel is lowered down from an arch and removes the black veil covering the Blessed Mother (the black veil symbolizes grieving). Once the black veil is removed, a choir of little girls dressed also as angels sing and all the lights are lit up. The atmosphere changes from sadness to joy and gladness. This “salubong” continues to touch my heart and every heart of Filipinos that is why we continue to eagerly look forward for this.
This eagerness and excitement felt reminded me of the other disciple in the Gospel of Easter Sunday. Upon hearing that the body of Jesus was nowhere to be found, Peter and the other disciple ran towards the tomb. The other disciple ran much faster than Peter (I hope it was not age factor)and upon seeing the burial cloth he believed that Jesus has risen. The other disciple was also eager and excited to encounter the risen Lord.
The people joining the “Salubong” and the other disciple have some things in common – their eagerness, their excitement, their joy – to encounter the Lord Jesus. Full of energy, full of passion for that encounter. I have reflected on these and I have asked myself this question: “Just like Peter, what slows me down in trying to encounter the Lord?” and “Like the other disciple, what must I do to run with eagerness and excitement to encounter the Lord?”
May this Easter season give us the reason to run fast like the other disciple for that encounter with the Risen Lord! Happy Easter to all!
Noel GARCIA, OMI
General Secretary
