FASTING: THE POWER OF TONGUE

We have another four weeks to enter into Holy week. Have you really started practicing the right way of keeping the Lenten observances, the three traditional practices: prayer, alms-giving, and fasting, (Mt 6: 1-18). When you are serious with these traditional practices and encourage yourselves to say “Yes” to the love of God by serving one another with generous heart, then the conversion can become reality in your lives in this season of Lent.

What is our understanding of fasting and how can we practice fasting? Very often, we think of fasting as a simple diet, with merely a simple desire to lose a few extra kilos or just abstinence from meat. Some other ways of fasting are fasting of the eyes from harmful TV programmes, fasting from laziness at work, fasting from being overly critical and judgmental in our hearts. Still there is another form of fasting: fasting of the tongue, fasting in speech, fasting from offending others with our words.

This week I would like to focus on fasting in relation to controlling our tongue. One of the most powerful weapons is our tongue, which has a power for good or for evil. We use our tongues to gossip, criticize and tell lies. It is an instrument of poisonous speech and sarcasm that destroys peace and positive relationships. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with the same tongue we curse our fellow human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth also comes praise and cursing,” (James 3: 9-10). We ought to make every effort to tame our tongue. We too need to put our hearts in tune with God’s Spirit by daily reading the Word of God. If your tongue abstains from every evil word, then your heart will abstain from sin.

We have heard phrases like, “think before you speak” and “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It is good for us not to be quick or say things we don’t really mean. It’s important that we think about what we are about to say before we open our mouths.

When we cannot control our tongue, we are unable to control ourselves in every other way. It will be better to avoid spreading gossip and to bridle one’s tongue. So think wisely before you say things and pray before you come to conclusions.

The Church has set up for us these forty days of Lent as a time of conversion. In this Holy Season of Lent, let us fast from all words that could offend others with our speech. Let us learn to praise God, with Mary, with our words and with our lives: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,” (LK 1: 46-47)

Stations of the Cross

After considering the numerous requests of BEC members / leaders and further taking into consideration the overwhelming turn-out for the Way of the Cross last Friday, we have decided to conduct the Way of the Cross at parish level instead every Friday at 7.30 pm to be followed by Mass. I had initially wanted to encourage the BEC leaders to coordinate the Way of the Cross at the BEC level on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Friday of Lent and back to the parish level on 6th Friday of Lent and Good Friday.

If you are unable to attend the Way of the Cross recitation at Church because of your work schedule or other commitments, you may always do so as an individual or family or BEC. You need to create an ambiance in your home and pray together. It is a very powerful way to pray the Stations as a family.

Just light up candles at your altar or place fourteen small candles and as you proceed through the Stations, light the respective candles. By observing these simple gestures without fail, we may find ourselves looking forward to and enjoying Lent this year. Walking through the Stations while reflecting on them is a way to help you and your family understand the meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates the key events of Jesus’ last day, beginning with His condemnation. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event and prayer from Christ’s last day, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 stations are complete.

During Lent, we remember especially the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. This is the greatest act of generosity in history, for Jesus died for all. “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The generosity of God in Christ should impel us to be generous and merciful to others especially those poor and in need. This Lent, do your best. Strive to root out sin and cultivate holiness. 

I encourage you to make a Lenten promise (written out), and pray in your morning and evening prayer based on whether you keep that promise or break it.  If you fulfill your Lenten observances (prayer, fasting and almsgiving), at the end of the day you will earn the crown of eternal glory. If you break the Lenten observances then you should make an Act of Contrition as a penance.

A Renewal of Repentance

The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The blessed ashes are imposed on us as a sign of conversion, penance, and fasting and human mortality.  We Catholics are called to focus on the Lenten observances – Prayer, fasting and almsgiving and to be with Jesus for the 40 days. It is a preparation for us, readying us for Good Friday and Easter.

Lent is a time to evaluate ourselves in light of God’s Word. It’s a time to receive God’s forgiveness and strength to lead a Christian life. It’s a time to renew our desire to serve God, and to be the type of Christians that God has made us to be. It is a time to look deep within ourselves, and acknowledge our sins. Lent is a time when you grow in your appreciation of all that Christ has done for you. The call of Lent is for a renewal of repentance, fervent seeking after God, and increased love and concern for our neighbour. 

We must remain faithful servants, obedient to the Church precepts, living closely to the sacraments particularly the Sacrament of Eucharist, have an active prayer life, read the word of God, and live a life filled with good and merciful works. We must love God and our neighbour.

We too should examine our lives and seek forgiveness, particularly in Confession. The more we examine ourselves then we will know right from wrong. Therefore, before we go to sleep each night, we should examine in our minds, the events of the day, and everything that we have said or done, or failed to do, for good or for bad.  After having examined our whole day, from beginning to end, then we should ask for forgiveness of our sins. Finally, we should pray an act of contrition. Do make the act of examining our consciences as a part of your night prayer.

God is merciful toward those who recognise their sinfulness and regret it so much. We shall focus fully on His mercy because it is through His mercy that we feel helped, we feel healed, and we feel forgiven. During this season of Lent, we give thanks to God for this favourable time, the time of grace, and the time of reconciliation. May the Lord cleanse our hearts and strengthen us in His love through the Holy Spirit. Let our pray be always, “A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit,” (Ps 51: 10-12).

This Lent, do your best. Strive to root out sin and cherish holiness. May the Lord make our Lenten journey a Jubilee of Mercy with Mary as we engage in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy!   

Vantorians: Class Reunion of 1984/85

On Saturday, 27 February 2016, we had our class reunion of 1984/85 at Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya from 12 noon till 4.00 pm. We studied together in lower and upper six at Vanto Academy, Petaling Jaya. We chose to have our reunion at Armada Hotel because our college was near the vicinity.

This reunion was a fabulous one because it is our first and largest gathering after 30 long years of having left the Institution. We were grateful to three of our class members who initiated and organised the reunion, namely: J. Kumar, Kuna and Thuraiveloo. A month ago before this reunion event took place, they started a “WhatsApp” group under the name of “Vantorians! FriendsAlways!”. Within a month J.Kumar and Kuna (the administrators of the group) managed to get in touch with 67 members and roped us into the chat group.

These past weeks after being grouped in “WhatsApp”, we reminisced about our school days, shared stories and jokes and brought each other up-to-date on what had happened since we went our separate ways in 1985. We are proud of this reunion because for us this Class of 84/85 was a gift to our institution and society. 

After completion of our studies in 1985, we faced a severe economic recession in our country. The recession pressured and affected most of us badly but somehow we didn't give up our enthusiasm in building up our lives. Some of us were pursuing further studies in the higher learning institutions, colleges and universities and others joined various sectors and careers. Today, we are proud to see ourselves as teachers, doctors, lawyers, police officers, business men and women, etc.

During this reunion we shared our life experiences as to how we carved fruitful careers, exchanged stories of personal accomplishments, relationships with others and personal development into admirable adulthood. 

Our institute’s badge has its inscription in Latin, “Domine Dirige Nos”. It means “Lord, guide us”.  The Lord and Master has really guided and directed us by not giving ourselves up at all to the fleeting world. We have fought the good fight which made us now someone valuable in the society.

I was overwhelmed and felt truly blessed to have an opportunity to meet them in this reunion. It was awesome to catch up with them after so long. I personally felt 30 years younger after meeting them. We shared tears, laughter and many hugs. It is such an honour to meet them. They were so accepting of me and I was touched by their warmth and kindness. I just didn’t want to leave the place because it was very emotional for me as it brought back a lot of memories. I felt a sense of loss that so much of my life had passed without knowing them these past years. They are now my wonderful friends and today I have learnt a great deal from them. I had an amazing time with them and they will always have a special place in my heart. 

Always Stay In Touch My Friends!

Another Opportunity!!!

The fig tree in the Jesus’ story (LK 13:1-9), was a privileged tree because it was planted in a very special place – in a vineyard. It was a fig tree that never bears fruit. Nevertheless, it was given another chance.

Jesus began His public ministry with a call to repentance: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Today, through the voice of the Church, the same call is addressed to us. The call of repentance is the heart of the gospel. Jesus addressed it to all of us, sinners. The call to repentance is not merely a call to turn away from sin, but a call to “produce good fruits” of good living as well.

We should be very thankful for this season of Lent. It is a wake-up call for us, a time to be honest with ourselves so that we come to know how deeply we depend on God’s mercy. “The Lord is kind and merciful” (Ps 103). God invites us with persistence to change our wrong doings. Since the time is short, we should make our choice immediately.

Transfiguration: The Divine Presence in Jesus

The purpose of the transfiguration (Lk 9: 28-36) on the Mt Tabor was to make the apostles aware of the divine presence in Jesus. The message of transfiguration is that there is a connection between suffering and death, the resurrection and the glory.

As we ponder the Transfiguration, we must remember that it began in prayer. Jesus went to pray, to be with His Father, inviting three of the apostles – Peter, James and John, to join Him. Jesus’ call to prayer is to meet His Father and to understand of who Father is and how He loves us. After having been invited to join Jesus in prayer at Mt Tabor, the apostles hear God’s voice as well. We must pray if we expect to hear God’s voice.

Lent is a reminder of this call to pray. Lent reminds us of how life can be disordered without prayer. How many times have we been uninterested or dispirited about prayer? How many times do we procrastinate our prayer? How many times do we say, “I should pray more,” but never act on this desire.

Prayer can be uplifting, and it can obtain God’s favours, but the real purpose of prayer is to come to know God in our lives. The reality of our lives is that we need to meet God in prayer. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!” (Gal 6:9). Jesus gives us His strength because He is Our light and Our Salvation.”

The Significance of the Number 40

Lent is a forty-day liturgical season that celebrates the most sacred part of the Christian year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and it concludes on the Vigil of Easter. Sundays are not included in the 40 days count because Sundays are joyful celebrations of Jesus’ Resurrection.

The number 40 carries biblical and secular significance. Here are some interesting facts:

i) Forty is the only number in English, which has its letters in alphabetical order. 

ii) Minus 40 degrees is the only temperature that is the same in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

iii) Forget “nine months” – a typical pregnancy actually lasts for 40 weeks. (RD, Jan 2016) (Reader’s Digest, January 2016)

In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible:

a) The Great Flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights (cf Gn 7:12); 

b) The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (cf. Num 14:33-34); 

c) Moses conversed with God on Mt Sinai for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments (cf. 24:18);

d) Elijah journeyed for 40 days before he reached the cave at Horeb (cf. 1 Kgs 19:8-9);

e) The people of Nineveh fasted and repented for 40 days in response to the preaching of Jonah (cf. Jonah 3: 4-5);

f) Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wildernessbeing tempted by the devil (cf. MT 4: 1-11, MK 1: 12-13 and LK 4: 1-13)

g) The feast of the Presentation of the Lordoccurs 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

h) In between Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, He appeared to his Apostles and various people for 40 days;

This year the Church in Peninsular Malaysia celebrates its 40 years journey of renewal, whichstarted in 1976. 

The Church adapted the use of ashes to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, which falls on 10 February 2016. It is a season of true meaning of pray, penance, reflection, fasting and almsgiving, which prepares us for Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. I hope as we journey this Lent together we improve our daily living and spiritually.

During this season, God restores, confirms, strengthens, and establishes us because he is merciful to repentant sinners and brings good out of evil.

“I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13).

The works of mercy on the road of the Jubilee

The Miraculous Catch!

Today's Gospel is regarding the miraculous catch of fish (LK 5:1-11). Our Gospels give us two versions of miraculous catch. The one proclaimed in Luke where the event takes place at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. Here the role of Peter is emphasised: “From now you will be catching people”.

The other narrative is found in JN 21:1-19. It takes place after the resurrection of Jesus which emphasises the role of Peter a shepherd of his flock. 

The Gospel of the miraculous catch begins with the fishermen being all discouraged. Peter along with the others worked all night but caught no fish: “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing”.

We are discouraged with lack of enthusiasm and are tempted to give up and surrender. It is now, in the middle of a crisis, in the middle of a storm that Jesus invites us along with Peter to move forward into the deep water and to restart our work.

He makes the unfit fit. Faith changes us from fearful to willingness. Are we afraid to leave what we know and head in an unknown direction? Jesus says, "Don't be afraid" but we have to trust the Lord. The Lord wants us to look at Him in faith and embrace His call with the zest.