The Catechetical Sunday (21/9/2014)

Dear Catechism Teachers, Parents and Children,

 

Sunday school is the heart of our parish ministry. Catechism teachers and parents are helping our children to "grow up" in an active faith through the catechism classes and also faith education at home. As inspiring instruments, you have integrated directly in the parish ministry in bringing our kids up in their personal faith and reflecting the very image of God in them. 

This Sunday we celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme: "Be Courageous, I Have Conquered the World," (Jn 16:33). 

On this Catechetical Sunday first and foremost, I would like to thank all the Sunday school teachers who have given their precious time to educate our catechism children in their faith education and moral life as well. You are helping our catechism them to grow in steadfast faith and fostering children to be deeply rooted in Christ and its message of love. 

The Church realises the challenges that you face in helping them to overcome hatred in their families and communities and building bridges with love, forgiveness and authentic friendship with each other. You too have been encouraging them through your teaching on Sundays to promote justice, peace, harmony, and better understanding with people of other faiths through inter-religious dialogue and cultural understanding.

Parents, you are the spiritual leaders in your home. Parents, you are the first and primary educators of faith for your child. You have a great role and commitment in the upbringing of your kids spiritually and morally. You have taken great interest till today by sending your kids without fail for Sunday School. Despite all your hectic schedules in your family life, you have tried your very best to make sure your kids go for Sunday class. I believe you are not sending your kids just to achieve the "spiritual graduation" - receiving the sacraments. The important criteria is to help our kids live more religiously and morally in their attitude and grow in the fear of the Lord. 

To my dearest catechism children, do you know that Jesus loves children very much, (cf Matthew 18:2-5). I always admire your great desire in being present every Sunday and you try your very best not to miss any of your class and activity or camp. I do understand you have plenty of home work to catch up on and tuition classes to attend. In spite of these you still have the desire and interest to be present in the class. At times your Catechism class may seem boring and the topics are not relevant to you. At time your teachers are not up to your level of thinking. Do you know that most of the greatest wisdom and insights often come from you and not even from your teachers and parents?

Let us not judge those parents who are not making an effort to send their kids for religious and moral studies every weekend. Let us pray for them so that one day they may realise the great efforts and concern that the Church takes upon their children. The Church hopes that you will be excited to see your sons and daughters embracing his/her faith and celebrate this God-given faith life in a more dynamic way. 

Parents and teachers, we need to model authenticity with our catechism children. Our faith needs to be real to our parish and family. Let us help our children “grow up” in an active faith. My prayer for all of us on this catechetical Sunday is that God will offend our minds in order to get to our hearts.

During my one week silent retreat, I was thinking of what to say to the catechism children, teachers and parents on the Catechetical Sunday and this song inspired me very much. Let us sing together:

Title of Song: Children of God 

(hymn book: Sing Your Praise to God - pg B18)

1. We are children of the Lord,

    Gathered here to pray together,

    We are one within His love,

    This we know we’re certain of.

2. Father, hear the song we sing,

    As we bring our world before you, 

    Soon your word will sow the seed,

    Sow your strength within our need.

3. Sing, O children to the Lord,

    All the world is hushed and waiting,

    As we lift our hearts above,

    Simply living in His love.

Happy Catechetical Sunday to my dear teachers, parents and students.

The Generosity of God

“The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard” speaks of the reward or payment for one’s labor. The landowner is God. The vineyard is the kingdom.

As we listen to today’s gospel we are tempted to react and share the grumble of the workers who have worked since early morning. In human terms it seems a bit unfair that after slaving all day in the hot sun they got the same pay for their efforts as those were taken on the eleventh hour. If we get too uptight about the injustice of the situation, we miss the point of the story. The parable is not dealing with equal rights for all, or an honest day’s work for honest day’s pay. Its main force is to show the generosity of God in throwing open the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven to all sinners – you and I on equal.

This gospel fills us with an inspiring image of God’s generosity, His gracious and forgiving who love for us no bounds and whose mercy extends to those who have worked all their lives in the service of God. We cannot explain His generosity, but one is certain – God’s way are not our ways.

It is not for us to judge anyone. That’s the Lord privilege. Our task is to continue labouring in His vineyard.

The Mystery of the Holy Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

By His Cross we are saved. The Cross has become a source of life, pardon, mercy, a sign of reconciliation and peace. ‘In order to be healed from sin, gaze upon Christ crucified!’ said Saint Augustine.

By raising our eyes towards the Crucified one, we adore Him who came to take upon Himself the sin of the world and to give us eternal life.

“The Gospel for this feast reminds us of the meaning of this great mystery of the Holy Cross: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that men might be saved (John 3:16). 

The Gospel reading tells us that Jesus came down from heaven. That's humility! Would you leave the comforts of heavenly perfection to enter into the bad?

Our psalm response tells us: “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” Today’s feast helps us to remember, not forget, the mighty work of God on the Cross. Our possible response: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”

A Healthy Relationship!

The Gospel passage (Mt 18-15-20) recommends a procedure to build a humble community in 3 steps:

Step 1: Go and show him or her fault, just between the two of you, person to person.


Step 2: If he or she will not listen, go a second time accompanied by one or two trusted companions.

Step 3: Bring the case before the Church.

Jesus said, “Go and Show him or her fault.” Affirm the relationship. Let the person know that you are seeking to resolve the conflict, not to assign blame. Let the person know up front how much they mean to you.

 Make observations, not accusations. That means addressing actions that have occurred, rather than pointing a finger or attacking their character. Use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. “I feel that you did me wrong” is better than “You are a liar! You don’t care about anyone but yourself!” Address what you have seen, perceived, and felt. Don’t accuse and put someone on the defensive. Take ownership of your feelings.

 Get the facts. After you make your observations, allow the other person to respond. There may be things that you have misunderstood or not been aware of. We should never correct out of anger, or a desire to punish. When the other person is responding, keep your ears open and mouth shut. Don’t interrupt! Let the person finish.

 The point is not to fight, win, or prove someone wrong. The point is to restore trust and harmony.

Make the effort to find healing in the relationship.