A LENTEN JOURNEY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

We are already halfway through Lent.If it has been a time of growth - well done! But if we have not practiced the Lenten observances well – almsgiving, prayer and fasting - we need not give up hope. Perhaps we have become a bit negligent in some areas of our lives, and need a little extra self-discipline to become more spiritual in mind and body.

Lent is not all about giving up sweets, chocolates or going on diets. It is about abstaining from TV shows, video games, surfing the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or other things that we enjoy. Do we realise how much time they consume? Lent is a time to give up the things we enjoy and instead, utilise our time wisely and fruitfully until Easter. It is a time to give up our sinful habits or sinful attitudesand focus on God. It is about repentance, which means giving up sin in order to prepare our hearts for Easter. We need to prepare our hearts for Easter by setting aside time for self -examination, repentance and change.

When I was younger, I was dissatisfied with my life. I wanted to make changes, because I knew that something was wrong. I also wanted more out of life, but I did not know where or how to start. It was during Lent that I found a path in the right direction and I got myself started afresh - so I exercised discipline and I improved my spiritual life. Certainly, these changes helped my spiritual journey and gradually my life became better and my path surer and clearer.

We cannot expect immediate miraculous events to take place in order for our lives to change for the better. We have to work hard and we have to make a sincere effort to nourish our spiritual life, so that God can nurture and strengthen us. I am sure that when you engage in spiritual discipline, especially during this season of Lent, you will see an improvement in your journey, as your life becomes more holistic.

This Lent, do your best to slowly root out sin and cultivate holiness. Lent is also a very good time to refocus our efforts and renew our commitment, even though we may fail – “for though the upright falls seven times, he gets up again...” (Proverbs 24:16). Even failing in our commitments can help us grow in humility and provide insightful knowledge of our own spiritual existence. The practice of spiritual discipline helps you and I integrate our lives into a whole.

I hope and pray that we all experience the best Lenten Season ever, this year. It can be our best Lent if we get ridof our sins, our failures, our worries and feelings of rejection, resentment, hurt, anger and bitterness. 

The Lenten Season should help strengthen our commitment to this lifelong journey towards Godand become more connected to His will.Let us observe a Holy Lent, where we rediscover and relearn what it means to be holy.Let us become a more merciful and compassionate community, a community that does not condemn others, but rather a community, which loves and forgives unconditionally. That is the true heart of Lent.

“Even if I fall a thousand times a day, I would still rise and say to God, ‘Nunc Coepi,’ (Now I begin)” - (Venerable Bruno Lanteri, 1759-1830).

COMING HOME

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32) is about a son who desperately needs the power of forgiveness in his life.

Jesus knows forgiveness is not an easy task, but we struggle living out. Jesus gives the power of forgiveness. We all struggle at one time or another with selfishness and wanting to do things our own way. 

We have free will to choose our way, but if we choose our way instead of God’s way, we have to accept the consequences.

No matter how far we have turned from God, no matter what we have gone through, no matter what state we are currently in and no matter what we have done - God forgives us when we return to Him. His love is embracing us, and He is waiting with open arms.

His love is unconditional and always available. He is ready to receive us back. Have our heart changed to forgive those who have wronged us?

Forgiveness starts with love and ends with joy. Forgiveness is the greatest gift that we can receive and the greatest gift that we can give.

“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord,”(Ps 34).

PATIENCE – A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Since the beginning of the Lenten season this year, I started watching short video clips from “FORMED: Lenten Reflection”. The Augustine Institute Studios has produced a series of daily reflections on Lent (each approximately 2 - 4 minutes long) on Christian Catholic spirituality. There are many materials available with Catholic content and perspective, such as video-based study programs, audio presentations, movies and eBooks. Do subscribe to “formed.org” and enter parish code: JG2JDZ

On Day 13 of Lent, there was a short video clip by Dr. Tim Gray, President of Augustine Institute on a remarkable virtue – patience. He referred to “patient endurance”, referring to the Book of Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial...”(Rev 3:10). In the Jerusalem Bible, the author used the word – “perseverance” instead. Endurance and perseverance are translated as “patience”. As we go through trials, we are called to be patient and to persevere.Dr. Gray highlighted two questions pertaining to patience from his discussion.

i) What do we mean by patience?

ii) How can we grow in patience?

Lent is a great opportunity to reflect on and practice the virtue of patience. Like many virtues, patience is a hard one to practice. For good and lasting relationships, we need patience. Whether it is with our children, our spouse, our parish community, our colleagues in the workplace, or our neighbours. We need patience in dealing with people – “Be patient with everyone,” (1 Thes 5:14).

It is easy to say but it is tough to do as we are not a patient people. We get impatient when things go wrong. We get impatient when we are running out of time. We get impatient when there is no instant gratification. We live in a world where everything needs to happen immediately. We sometimes get impatient for what seems like no reason at all!

Patience is in our mind set - our way of thinking and feeling. We tend to get irritated or easily angered by those who always disrupt our plans. The Bible tells us that patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). It starts as a little seed and it takes time to grow and mature. We should cherish this fruit of the Holy Spirit, which God has given to us. Patience is the ability to remain calm in the midst of trials and tribulations because weknow God is in control.

Patience is a Christian virtue. The heart of patience is love… “Love is patient, love is kind…” (1 Cor 13). Patience is an act of love. We can learn to be patient when we trust in the power, strength and encouragement, which comes from God. On our own, we may find it tough to be patient, but with Christ all things are possible.

Is patience a strong quality and virtue in our lives? Christians are called to be patient. We should not grumble about another or have grudges or complain about others. It is not part of our nature. Are you a patient person? We will never become patient over night. We need to be patient with ourselves. Lent is not so much a diet plan, but the Church is asking us to exercise patience in our way. Let’s watch what we say and how we say it. We should restrain our anger and irritation. Instead, we should deal with others with the same patience and compassion that God has shown to us.

In this season of Lent, we should learn and act on what God says about patience, and trust God to give us the grace to be patient. Be patient with ourselves and with others as how God has always been with us! Trust in God and let Him be in our lives during this season of Lent.

ENDLESS MERCY OF GOD

On third Sunday of Lent, the parable speaks that a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard did not bear figs when expected. The fig tree’s owner ordered to cut it down. Yet, the owner gave “one more chance” for the tree to bear fruit. (Luke 13: 6-9). 

A tree without fruits is just consuming the space. If we are not producing then we are only consuming. The quantity of the trees doesn’t matter but its quality and productivity.

We are already condemned by the virtue of the sin. We are convicted sinners. God is disappointed with us. He finds no fruits of repentance, yet He is patient with us.

What habits are making us fruitful and barren? What sinful practices are hurting our spirit and faith?

Repentance is a transformation. Repentance is a change of both mind and will, of both disposition and habits. God demands a turning from evil and a total obedience and repentance. Those who do not repent will not enter into His kingdom. We pray for the grace to live our second chances faithfully.

“The Lord is kind and merciful.” (Psalm 103)

CALLED BY NAME TO COMMIT TO GOD

On the first Sunday of Lent, during the Sunset Mass (9 March 2019), we had a Rite of Sending for three of our catechumens. They were presented by their sponsors for enrolment in the Book of Elect. Before that, they were questioned about their preparations for the upcoming Easter Baptism. The Parish community and the sponsors gave their affirmation on the catechumen’s faithfulness in listening and responding to God’s Word. Then, they were called by name to sign the Book of Elect as a commitment of their readiness to receive the Easter sacraments.

The following day, Sunday, 10 March 2019, the three catechumens were sent to the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang, to take part in the Rite of Election, accompanied by our Parish RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) team. They gathered around Archbishop Julian Leow, along with 572 other catechumens from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Each RCIA coordinator from the various parishes in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied with their respective priests, came forward to present the Book of the Elect to the Archbishop. Now, the catechumens are called “the Elect”.

As the Elect make their final journey towards Easter, they have three more rites – also known as scrutinies – to fulfill. The Elect need to be uncovered and healed before they make the baptismal promises. During the First Scrutiny (3rdSunday of Lent) there is the Presentation of the Creed and on the Third Scrutiny (5th Sunday of Lent) the Elect will be presented the Lord’s Prayer. Whereas, on the Second Scrutiny (4thSunday of Lent) the Elect resolve and hold fast to Christ Jesus and promise to love God above all. These final rites of scrutinies and exorcism are celebrated in order “to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ” (RCIA #141). We engage the elect on a spiritual level, which in turn opens them up to the grace of God, who is at work in their lives, transforming them into the Body of Christ.

In our Parish, we have total of 9 candidates who are going through the RCIA programme for the 2018/2019 session. Out of 9 candidates, six them are preparing for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. They will most likely be confirmed with our Form Five Catechism students in June 2019. 

It is sad to see the number of candidates for the RCIA program dwindling in our parish. As parishioners, we hardly make the effort to introduce new faces into RCIA. Many of the candidates who have already received the Sacrament of Initiation in past years have not been regular for Sunday Mass attendees. They went through the RCIA program but kept a distance from our parish and Mass, after that. 

The PMEIA (Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affair) together with the RCIA team, are planning to invite the recently baptised RCIA candidates for fellowship, interaction and dialogue, and we, as a parish community, wish to welcome them whole-heartedly.

Once again I just want to remind you about our parish’s vision for the years 2018-2020, which is “Committing Ourselves into New Evangelisation” and our mission for the year 2019 is to engage in dialogue and make friends with people of other faiths. This year, during the Extraordinary Mission Month of October, we should make a serious commitment in evangelising and bringing across the message of Christ into the lives of those whom we meet every day. The next RCIA session for the 2019/2020 will begin after Pentecost. It is our individual and parish responsibility to invite more friends to join the RCIA program. God bless!

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCES

The word “transfiguration” means transformation or conversion. It means that a big change takes place. “Why do I always have to change?”

Have you ever had a “Mountain Top” Experience? Mountain top experiences are those moments in our lives when we feel God’s presence in a glorious. Those moments are precious to us and are unforgettable. We don’t experience every day.

Peter, James and John had a “mountain top” experience. Jesus revealed to them His glory – “dazzling white” light in His face and clothing.  (Lk 9: 28-36).

We need to visit “the mountaintop” to see God’s glory. But we need to leave “the mountaintop” and serve the people. We can’t stay there, we must return to the valley in service to people who need us. Life is not lived on the mountaintop, but in the valley. Let’s not just love with words but with actions.

Lent is a time of concentrating on our need for Christ to shed his light into our areas of darkness. By loving those who don't love us, we reveal the light of Christ to those who live in darkness.

“The Lord is My Light and My Salvation.” (Ps 27).

THE CHALLENGE OF THIS SEASON IS TO COMMIT

The crowd was overwhelming for the observation of Ash Wednesday, despite being a work day and the weather being unpleasant, especially during the 8pm Mass. So why not make the same commitment to participate in daily Mass (in addition to Sunday Mass) to receive the Holy Eucharist during the season of Lent? It is good to long, yearn, hunger and thirst for Jesus, our Bread of Life.

Lent is a very important season, and as St Paul says “Now, is the favourable time” and “a time of grace”, (2 Cor 5:20-6:2)a time of preparation for the greatest feast - Easter. Take the initiative to re-evaluate our lives over the course of the next 40 days. We have received ashes on our foreheads, not just to look Catholic, but to remind us that we are sinful and that we need Jesus to save us from sin. It is a sign acknowledging that we need a change. The ashes are an external sign but we must have the willingness to confess our sins, amend our lives and commit ourselves to not sin again. This moment is a moment of decision not to harden our hearts but listen the voice of the Lord.

When I woke up for morning Mass on Ash Wednesday, I was wondering what the one thing I could share with my congregation during the homily. I know all of us (if not most of us) are doing well in our spiritual lives. We do most of the devotional prayers and participate in the weekday and weekend Masses. However, is there any other opportunity to bring our spirituality to greater heights over the next few weeks? We should find a way to exhibit our faith and our discipleship by using these Lenten Observances – almsgiving, prayer and fasting(during his homily, Msgr James recommended the three pillars of Lenten observance should be in this order - almsgiving, prayer and fasting).

By using this walking staff on our Lenten journey, we will arrive at Easter with renewed holiness. Almsgiving converts our mind and heart by sacrificing our selfish attachments for the sake of our fellow brothers and sisters, which is utmost important. Doing good to others is a spiritual discipline that purifies us, increases our love and overcomes our selfishness without anyone getting hurt.Praying converts our hearts by sacrificing our selfish use of time for the love of Christ. Fasting converts our mind and heart, body and spirit by sacrificing our selfish pleasures and enjoyments for the strengthening of our spiritual maturity. So the challenge of this season is to commit ourselves to grow in knowledge of God, in serving, in giving hope to others and disciplining ourselves in words and deeds.

When we travel on the road, we may encounter a few humps and bumps along the way. It is same with our life journey – we will face rough and tough times ahead. This reminds me of these songs lyrics, “It is a long road to freedom, a winding steep and high, but when you walk in love with the wind on your wings and cover the earth with the songs you sing, the miles fly by.” So no matter how winding the roads are, no matter the distractions, mistakes and sins we encounter in this journey, firmly gaze at Jesus and be determined in all things that we do. 

Let us have the spirit and courage to live this season of Lent faithfully and willingly, to enhance our spiritual life and build an intimate relationship with Jesus and with one another. Be glad in this season of Lent, which is a blessing for us, as we pursue the greater good. We shall die to sin and rise to new life!

TEMPTATION MAKES US STRONGER

On thisfirst Sunday of Lent, we find ourselves in the desert with Jesus and the devil (LK 4: 1-13). St. Luke tells us that after Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, He “was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.” 

The word temptation means to test or to prove our faith and to make us stronger. Jesus was led into the wilderness to be “tested” by the devil as a means of proving Himself to God.Temptation is the process of testing us and they are necessary in our lives.

We face all kind of temptations and trials in our lives. The devil always wants to turn our lives upside down. In all our temptations, we should take every effort to remain united in Christ, we reject Satan and choose the life of holiness. Lent now gives us an opportunity to check ourselvesand to improve our self-discipline. Therefore, we need to place our trust in God. Our faith in God gives us the courage to endure and persevere in our journey in this season of Lent.

“Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble,” (Ps 91).

BRINGING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO CREATION

We begin our journey through the season of Lent on 6 March 2019 with Ash Wednesday, and it will conclude on Holy Saturday, 20 April 2019 - a day before Easter. It is going to be an uphill climb for six and a half weeks. It is a preparation for Easter, inviting us to engage the three pillars of Lent – Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Each year the season of Lent gives us an opportunity to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Paschal Mystery – Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ with renewed mind, body, soul and spirit.

My love for the season of Lent started 35 years ago. Since then, I have made it a point to make this season a time for soul-searching, prayer, reflection and penance. Every Lent helps me to have a better understanding of my faith, to persevere in self-discipline and self-improvement and procure a deeper appreciation for the season. Today, as a priest, I try my best to assist my parishioners to better observe Lent and make the journey towards Easter a reverent and meaningful one. During this time of preparation, I hope that they may able to focus on their faith life, their shortcomings and sinfulness, which will ultimately lead them to a new beginning of life in Christ at Easter.

However, Lent can sometimes become a routine over the years. We may go through the motions of Lent doing the same old things and living in our former way of life, causing us to neglect the essential aspects of the Lenten season. It is important then to remember that while we undertake a journey of preparation, our Lenten practice should work on a personal as well as communal conversion. When we fail to live as children of God and when we behave in a hurtful way towards others, then we may not be able to celebrate Easter meaningfully.

                                                            

The Holy Father has chosen the theme “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19)for Lent this year.“All creation is called, with us, to go forth from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God,”Pope Francis said.He said that this year “Lent is a sacramental sign of this conversion.”The Pope wants us not to water down this season of grace, but to live faithfully as children of God.

The Pope highlights that the season of Lent should be a time to “welcome Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives”, and attract “its transforming power to all of creation.”The division between God, man and creation caused by sinis to berepairedthrough our traditional Lenten practices – fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Holy Father says that in fasting we learn “to change our attitude towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to ‘devour’ everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the emptiness of our hearts.”Our prayers lead us to“abandon idolatry and self-sufficiency of our ego.”Through almsgiving, “we escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief that we can secure a future that does not belong to us.”

“May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the hope of Christ also to creation,”the Holy Father said. In this path to Easter, he demands that “we renew our faces and hearts as Christians through repentance, conversion and forgiveness”. We take every effort for personal and communal conversion by leaving behind all our selfishness and self-absorption and turn to Jesus’ Paschal Mystery. Let us stand firmly beside our neighbours who are in need and share our spiritual and material goods with them. May the season of Lent renew, refresh and empower us to go about the work of Christ. 

                                                       HAVE A BLESSED LENT! 

WHAT FRUIT DO YOU PRODUCE?

“A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit,” (Luke 6:43).The Church liturgy gives us today’s Gospel on the last Sunday to examine our heartjust before Lent begins.

The Lord Jesus says “good things” will come out of the “good stored up in our heart” and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

What we really need to focus on, is not to do many good deeds, but to cultivate a good heart. How we talk and how we walk are reflections of what we have stored in our hearts.Our words and actions reveal what is in our hearts.We need to focus on being good. God is looking for good heart. This is what we need to pay attention to, and cultivate.

How many times in a day we criticise our fellow men and women without knowing all or of the true facts?Often, we feel guilty of rash judgement, criticism, cynicism, fault-finding constantly flow from us.

Let us stop all these negative elements and with God’s grace we shall find ourselves becoming more Christian and more charitable towards our neighbor and less critical of the faults of others.

“It is good to give thanks to You, O Lord.” (Ps 91).