"Let the Little Children Come to Me!"

On Saturday, 17th August, Frs Jestus Pereira, Surian and I went to Fr Edwin Paul's parish at Church of Paul the Hermit, Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor). We went to help out hearing confession for the eleven children who were preparing to receive the First Holy Communion in a week's time. Among those who came to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation were the parents and godparents of the children.

There is only one document written to children by Blessed John Paul II during the year of the Family on 13th December, 1994. One of the aspects he emphasised was "an unforgettable meeting with Jesus is the First Holy Communion, a day to be remembered as  one of life's most beautiful." It is a great day of celebration for the parish and family as well.

The Pope also reminded about the number of holy boys and girls who lived down the centuries and are still known and venerated throughout the Church as saints or blessed for example, St Agnes who lived in Rome; St Agatha, who was martyred in Sicily; St Tarcisius, a boy who is rightly called the "martyr of the Eucharist"; St Bernadette of Lourdes, etc.

Parents, brothers, sisters, godparents, instructors and teachers are important instruments for every child who is making their first Holy Communion. It is through our prayers, motivation and encouragement that will help our young children to grow spiritually.

  

Are You Fired Up For Jesus?

Jesus said to His disciples, "I have come to bring fire to the earth..." (LK 12:49).

The fire Jesus is speaking of is not literal fire but a spiritual fire. He is speaking of the burning, enthusiasm, exciting, dynamic presence of God in the lives of people.

What is this fire is and what it can do in your life?

When our heart is on fire for someone; that means we are passionate about that person. Jesus came to give us that kind of burning, passionate, love relationship with God.

We are still faithful in going to Church for Mass, serving, singing and giving – but has your fire gone out?

The Lord is getting all the impurities off us and teaching us how to trust Him more. The good news of the fire is to strengthen us, to give us the zeal and prepare us for the mission of the Church.

Are you fired up for Jesus and for the life of the Church?

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Why does Mary have such a preeminent place in heaven? (cf. YouCat, no:147)

When Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption on November 1^st, 1950, it was a cause of great joy throughout the Catholic world.The doctrine of the Assumption says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Some people think Catholics believe Mary ‘ascended’ into heaven. That’s not correct. Christ, by his own power, ascended into heaven. Mary was ‘assumed’ or taken up into heaven by God. She didn’t do it under her own power.

Our Lady is brought to heaven to share in the glory and joy of her Son Jesus because of her unique role and because of her response in saying “Yes” to God’s call. It was the crowning grace of Mary’s friendship with God.

What Mary has experienced after death is also what we also look forward to. We look forward to what we profess in the profession of faith: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”

The feast of the assumption tells us that Mary has completed her earthly pilgrimage and she was assumed - her body and soul went into heaven. We are not born for this earth but for heaven. We shall look forward to our resurrection on the last day where we shall experience the heavenly glory and enjoy the vision of God in heaven.

How Ready Are You?

"You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect," (Luke 12:40)

We are very good at thinking about the future. We prepare for many “what ifs” by the various insurance policies we hold: Life, Car, House, and other belongings as well.

We plan for retirement with various investments and funds.

We begin planning for the education of our children even though it may be nearly one or two decades away.

We save money for holidays or maybe even to purchase MATA fair or cheaper flights. High school students are beginning to think about their future colleges.

College and varsity students start accumulating resume data as soon as they enter college/university anticipating the days when they will be walking into interviews to show an impressive resume.

We are already good at thinking about the future.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to be truly ready, in spite of all our efforts to build up our financial and material security. Jesus tells us today to be ready, to be ready when the Master comes.

There is absolutely no way we can know when or how the Master will come to call us. He says it will be like a thief in the middle of the night.

As life goes on we become increasingly aware of how short-lived it is. Life can be taken away from us in the twinkling of an eye.

Am I ready? Am I prepared?

Be a Friend of the Cross!

“Why are we too supposed to accept suffering in our lives and thus ‘take up our cross’ and thereby follow Jesus.” (YOUCAT no. 102)

In today’s reading Jesus said, “"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me...”  (Mt 16: 24-28).

There are many of us that are willing to be friends of Jesus ONLY in good times but there are very few of us that are true friends of Jesus who are willing to embrace the cross at all times, even in the bad. Of course, it is not easy to be a friend of the CROSS. 

We should not forget that our Christian lives are constant battles. We cannot escape from these realities. In faith we can accept our own suffering and also share the suffering of others. In this way human suffering becomes unites with the redeeming love of Christ and thus part of the divine power that changes the world for the better.

Lord, give me the courage to take up my cross and follow in your footsteps.