Making Time for Prayer!

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her," (Lk 10:42)

Many critics of prayer complain that we pray a lot but it doesn't seem to do any good. Very often we get disappointed when we don’t get what we are asking for. First, there needs to be love for God in our heart. God needs to be a Friend to us. Second, we need to be persevere in prayer when things are difficult and I am truly sure in the end we shall get what we want or that God will give us what is best for our needs. If we persevere in prayer with love, we will get all that we need as how God wills it should be. 

Are we open enough in our prayer to let God work as He wants; to follow His plan and not ours? So cooperate with God’s plan instead of insisting on our own plan. Even if we don’t see the results of our prayer that doesn't mean God is not listening to us. He does what is best for us.

“… Get up in the morning and give the day to God, asking for His BLESSINGS and ‘to be there’ in all your meetings and needs. Thank Him, especially at mealtimes. At the end of the day, place everything into His hands, ask Him for forgiveness, and pray for peace for yourself and for others. A great day – full of signs of life that reach God.” (YouCat No. 499).

The Rosary is My Favourite Prayer

"The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and its depth… Thus, the simple prayer of Rosary marks the rhythm of human life," (Blessed John Paul II and YouCat nos. 480 & 481)

The months of May and October are dedicated to Mary and known as Rosary month. Many parents, senior citizens and BEC members and even in some Catholic homes and parishes place the statue of Mother Mary (Our Lady of Fatima) and come together to pray the Rosary. But many of our young people don’t seem to carrying a rosary with them or get into the habit of saying at least a decade. I like to propose to our young people to say your Rosary individually or with friends or families.

One of the methods that we can practice is by saying the Rosary daily at different times of the day. You may say two decades in the morning, one decade in the afternoon and the last two decades in the evening or before going to bed. It is only a method and you may have better suggestions and if you do, please do so!

Our young Catholics today should recite the Rosary not only on the different feasts and during the Rosary month but more regularly. Let’s not allow this beautiful devotion to be fade away like so many other things – no one will be more happier than me if all our young people started the practice of praying the Rosary daily.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the KL Archdiocesan Marian Rally 2013 on Oct 13. We shall continue to plead to our dearest. Mother, Queen of Heaven and Queen of Earth to intercede to Her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ to flood the land of our country, Malaysia with the power of the Holy Spirit, to purify, transform and renew the hearts of all human beings.

"Call on Mary with devotion, and She will not leave your needs unattended since She is merciful, indeed, the Mother of Mercy," (St Bernard of Clairvaux).

God bless and keep you safe always and Mother Mary pray for you and your family always. 

Faith Makes God Real!

"Lord, increase our faith!” (LK 17: 5)

Faith is not a philosophy, or a mind bending concept, or a logic of reasoning. It is simply a gift from God Almighty. There are some disciplines you can start with to make you more aware of your faith. During this Year of Faith each of us is being called to personal conversion, to open our hearts in order to be in communion and solidarity with Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life! 

God wants us to pray in faith. Faith makes things happen. Faith makes Heaven real· Faith makes God Real· Life is really exciting. 

Our faith needs to be increased so that whenever we come to a crisis in our life, we will be ready for it. We need to exercise the faith we have received.

Faith helps us to understand life and fosters our happiness. A faith that is rooted in Jesus can achieve the impossible things in our lives. 

Whatever the evils of the world, the person who has faith in Jesus will always come out victoriously. Let us today join the apostles in asking the Lord to increase our faith.

Go, Do Not be Afraid and Serve!

The World Youth Day (WYD) in Brazil has come and gone. On the 28th September, about 18 of the pilgrims of WYD gathered at Assumption Hall, PJ to look back and reflect on their favorite moments. I was happy to see and hear their experiences at Rio through their sharing and video presentations.

During my reflection with them I just recalled with them the three simple ideas of Pope Francis' messages during the WYD 2013: "Go, Do not be afraid, and Serve."

1. Go. Jesus did not say: “if you would like to, if you have the time." The experience of encountering Jesus and others must not remain locked up in your life or in the small group of your parish, your movement, or your community but “Go and make disciples of all nations."

2. Do not be afraid. We may think we are not prepared or not worthy, and how can I go and proclaim the Gospel? In fact Prophet Jeremiah had a fear being a young man like you, when he was called by God to be a prophet, “Be not afraid ... for I am with you to deliver you” (Jer 1:7,8). He is with us, (Mt 28:20).  “Do not be afraid!” God goes before us and guides us.

3. Serve. Saint Paul says: “I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more” (1 Cor 9:19). In order to proclaim Jesus, Paul made himself “a slave to all”. Evangelising means bearing personal witness to the love of God, it is overcoming our selfishness, it is serving by bending down to wash the feet of our fella brothers and sisters, as Jesus did.

They seem to be looking forward to the WYD 2016 which is returning to the land of the founder, Blessed John Paul II. It is going to be a significant event once again because it will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the first official WYD in 1986.

Just to remind my dear young people that the Church needs you, the Church is counting on you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and your joy. When you give yourself to the life of the Church sure you will discover much intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth within you.

Use Wealth Solely For God's Glory

At the end of the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son (Lk 15), we heard about the joy of finding what was lost.

On this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus gives an example of a steward who has “found” himself, came to his senses regarding his dishonesty, and found a way. In the Gospel today (Lk 16:1-13), Jesus teaches about wrong attitudes especially on WEALTH. He talks to us about our possessions, what we have, and how are we dealing with what God has given to us. 

It’s very interesting to say, “Jesus talked about money 16 out of 38 parables in the four Gospels. The Bible dedicates 500 verses on prayer; less than 500 verses on faith; but over 2,000 verses on money and possessions.

Two aspects which we need to consider; i) we must “use our wealth wisely.” ii) we should “be clever in a crisis."

We as disciples of Christ are to use our wealth, money, resources, energy and talents in this present life with an eye on the future life. 

How do I see this in my life? In my relationship with Christ and His Church, do I recognise the great blessedness in possessing a love of God and in putting my skills, talents and gifts to use solely for God's glory?