Jesus Explosion V blew us all away last weekend surpassing all previous “Explosions” in numbers, zeal and power. This was the consensus of over 1200 of God’s people who converged at Preysal High School from Friday, July 20 to Sunday 22, to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Participants came from Aruba, London, the USA and all parts of Trinidad and Tobago to join in this spirit-filled celebration.

The very apt theme for this year was “I have set before you life and death. Choose LIFE…and LIVE” (Deut 30:19). Our spiritual moderator, Fr Ian Taylor, has seen the Jesus Explosion V as “part of a rescue mission to save this nation from self-destruction and to replace the culture of death with the culture of life by promoting Jesus Christ as the author of life and His Word as the Word of Life!”

Preysal High School became holy ground as voices resonated in tandem with the heavenly music of GRACE Ministries led by Atherly Nicholas. The crowd needed no exhortation.

A sea of white, “Jesus Explosion” polo shirts prayed, praised, sang and danced joyously. We felt the Father’s love and the Spirit’s power. We affirmed, as we must keep affirming, that Jesus Christ is truly Lord of our lives.

Jesus Explosion V was graced with the presence of Archbishop Edward J Gilbert who opened the event on Friday night. In his address, he exhorted a deeper knowledge of the faith and avoidance of the occasions of sin.

Each day’s activities began with the praying of the Rosary followed by Praise and Worship. Fr Hudlin, celebrant of the Saturday morning Mass, preached a powerful homily on keeping vigils, which was extracted from the First Reading (Exodus 12:42).

We listened in wonder at this teaching that vigil is also a longing of the heart; a waiting for God’s breakthrough which will come because God is a deliverer. We were left in a reflective mood because it is the experience of all.

Janet Chinnia addressing Jesus Explosion V participants. Photo: Keith Patrick

All six talks of the Jesus Explosion were life-giving, life-changing and spring boards for daily and life-long conversions. A thread of choosing life was woven into all these talks, which were blueprints for living in the light and life of Jesus Christ which challenge us to have the power and courage to be witnesses of His Love and Mercy.

Fr Christian Chambers, Mayaro’s booming baritone, (preaching at short notice for Fr Michael Moses) reminded us that our lives must be placed in the hand of God who wants wholeness and salvation for all His children. He noted the subtle and overt ways Satan relentlessly tries to bring death to us.

He exhorted us to make our homes the kingdom of God by avoiding sin and living righteously. Then came Fr Trevor Nathasingh who had returned just a few hours before from mission in Austria.

In his inimitable, “explosive” style, he focussed deeply on the theme of choosing life through a deeper relationship with Jesus, a choice which can create much difficulty in our lives but which will be rewarded with the ultimate gift of eternal life.

As we listened to Fr John Theodore, preacher and teacher par excellence, preaching on the power of Holy Mass, which in itself is as powerful as Calvary, we felt a renewed joy to be Catholic Christians. What a gift the Eucharist is to us!

Our Saturday ministry and the Jesus Explosion on the whole climaxed with the Eucharistic procession. Someone who is not present cannot image the sacredness of that moment.

Many participants experienced the power of Jesus in the Eucharist under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This usually transforms many of our lives enabling us to live more powerfully as Catholics.

The steering committee of the Jesus Explosion, must have received a special anointing to manage this Church activity with such a high degree of efficiency to the extent that our spiritual director, Sr Janet Chinnia, was able to deliver a powerful talk on the ideal of clinging to Jesus and inspiring others to do the same.

As a Catholic teacher, she seems to have the special gift of transforming families through the children she teaches. Dubbed “Candela Kai” (Fire Come Down) by the Arubans, it was indeed a fiery presentation from a convicted believer.

The presence of hundreds of youths who sang, praised and danced for Jesus is a testimony of hope for the Church. In particular, the vibrant and dynamic youths of San Raphael bore witness to the wonderful work that God is doing through Fr Michael Moses.

Even during the lunch period, youths (and older folks) gravitated to their rhythmic Praise and Worship sessions. At this time many used the opportunity to purchase books and sacred items from a number of book-stalls.

Testimonies were profound and inspirations to youths and adults alike. One young man who miraculously recovered from a road accident made a public commitment to serve in the priesthood.

What a joy the highly organized Sunday morning workshops were! The “Dangers of Music” proved to be an eye-opener for the multitude of youths present. So too, was the “Spiritual Warfare” workshop which organizers will do well to include as a talk for all participants to hear.

There was positive feedback from all workshops led by facilitators who were a source of light and life to participants. A beautiful Spanish dance by our Aruban friends and a skit on the theme “Choose Life” performed by the youths of Preysal, were wonderful dimensions to this year’s Explosion.

This life-giving experience culminated on Sunday afternoon with the celebration of Holy Mass by Fr Ian Taylor. It was fully charismatic and a joyous occasion which included an Offertory dance. GRACE Ministries contributed to this “foretaste of heaven” by leading us in Song and Praise.

In his homily, Fr Ian exhorted us to become evangelisers in our homes, in our schools and our workplaces. He challenged us to boldly wear crucifixes, as a testimony to our Catholic Christian faith. Will you be there for Jesus Explosion Revival on Sunday, September 23 at Preysal High School? Don’t miss it!