GIVING THE ELDERLY THEIR DUE RESPECT

The United Nations designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons. The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur celebrated this significant day last Sunday, 30 September 2018 at St Joseph Church, Sentul during the 6.00 pm Mass. It was the first for the Archdiocese as well as our Church, as host.

About 700 elderly parishioners over the age of 60 from Kuantan, Seremban and other parts of the Klang Valley attended the Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow and concelebrated by Cardinal Soter Fernandez as well as Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Older Persons is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions”.  The elderly population is growing globally, and people are aware of the serious problems that affect their health and the need for the protection of their rights. They are human too and they need the same dignity and respect as people of all other age categories. Archbishop Julian Leow highlighted that the elderly are experienced and wise, and all other age groups have many things to learn from them. Their ages represent the “wealth of life experiences” and that “wisdom really does comes with age.” Their knowledge and experience can contribute to society.

Many people are worried as they grow older. They worry that their children will not care for them and that they may end up alone and unwanted. Most old people wish to stay in their own homes till the very end, and receive care and support from their families. As they age, they may somehow feel that they are losing value as a significant member of society. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every individual in the family to care for their aging parents and grandparents, and help them feel wanted and included.

In today’s culture, nursing and old folk homes are becoming more acceptable. Due to our work commitments and other family issues, we may sometimes take the option of placing our elderly in proper nursing facilities or care homes. Generally, as Christians, we always try our level best to give due respect towards the elderly. Our Bible tells us to respect elders and treat them as how we would like to be treated ourselves (Lev 19: 32-34) and our obligation is to honour our parents, including the elders, (4^th Commandment – Ex 20:21).

How can we minister to the elderly? The number of elderly people in our parishes are growing. The Church provides a wonderful way to engage with them, even when they find it difficult to come for Mass or other services. We are glad that our Extra-Ordinary Ministers make the effort to go for homebound visits, by bringing Holy Communion. Some of our priests visit the homebound at least twice a year, especially during the Season of Lent and Advent.

During this month of Rosary, we specifically pray for the elderly – asking for their good health and long dignified lives. As we offer a decade or two, let us also pray to be a listening friend to them. They have many stories to share with us. Once in a while offer hope, support and encouragement. Many elderly people may be unable to attend Church due to transportation issues, so if you know of any such person, lend them a helping hand and bring them to Church with you. When that is not possible, perhaps try singing and praying together at home, and read the Bible to them, from time to time.

“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone,” (Ps 71:9).

MARRIAGE: LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (MK10:2). Jesus answers, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and they become one flesh,” (Gn 2:24). Jesus emphasises the permanence and sanctity of marriage.

When a couple marry, they intend to stay permanent but sometimes things happen that make that impossible. This is not God’s will. God’s intention is for them to live in relationships with each other and with God.

Jesus is teaching us today that divorce is wrong because “What God has joined together, let not man separate it,” (MT 19:6).

The Catechism teaches, “the spouses as ministers of Christ's grace mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church” (CCC no.1623). They confer Christ’s grace upon each other. A love commitment is the will and marriage consent is an act of the will.

The laws of marriage and divorce have been put in place for a reason: to protect people and preserve the peace between the spouses.

“May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives,” (Ps 128).

ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMMON GROUND

On Friday evening, 21 September 2018, the St. Joseph Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (PMEIA) made a courtesy visit to Saidina Hamzah Mosque in Kampung Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur located 3kms away from Church of St. Joseph Church.

The mosque was built in 1993, on a one-hectare piece of land with the cost approximately RM7.6 million. It can accommodate approximately 2,500 people during prayers. However, there are about 20,000 Muslims living in the surrounding area. The mosque also conducts an Islamic Religious School for primary students.

Eight members of the PMEIA were welcomed by the Chairman, Haji Shaari Bin Mustafa, Director of Hidayah Center Foundation, En’ Abdul Ghaffar Mohammad Sharif, Ustaz, Imams and Board members, men and women of the Mosque. We expressed our heartfelt happiness and appreciation for the warm welcome accorded by them. After the speeches by the chairman and director of the mosque, followed by fellowship, we were invited to a tour around the compound. Surprisingly, they invited us to enter their worship house. It was my first time entering into a sacred sanctuary (Musalla - a place for Prayer). All this while I had an understanding that non-Muslims were prohibited (haram) to enter their sacred sanctuary. However, we were informed that non-Muslim were allowed in, but under certain circumstances.

 

Our PMEIA has commitment to work closely with members of the Saidina Hamzah Mosque. One of the projects planned is to have a blood donation campaign in their premise. We hope through this collaboration, we may be able to strengthen our social commitment and welfare service for our human family. In the near future, we may invite them to give us sessions on Islam in our parish, to learn more about each other’s faith and to improve our relations. In my opinion, our significant engagement brought together a fruitful dialogue session and sharing our spiritual insights. Thank you to the PMEIA for the effort made in meeting the board members of Saidina Hamzah Mosque.

As Catholics living in a Muslim majority country, it is good to have a better understanding of Islam as well as other faiths. Mixing and communicating with friends and family of other religions is common place in Malaysia, and it may not be a surprise to learn that your fellow friends may be interested to learn more about our Catholic faith, and vice versa. As we engage ourselves in faith discussions, we must be ready to learn from one another, without ignoring the beliefs of each tradition and the acknowledging the common ground that we share, as neighbours and as Malaysians.

The Church has always encouraged dialogues and learning with people of other faiths, and welcomed them into our midst. We must show respect and understanding, rather than alienate and ignore. Instead of defining ourselves with what separates us, let us instead embrace what unites us.

The Second Vatican Council stresses about respecting other faiths and acknowledging “what is true and holy in these religions” along with “fidelity to the mission of the Gospel,” (Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions or Nostra Aetate #3).

We should love our neighbours (people of other religions) as ourselves and share the good news of Christ with them. As Catholics, we should understand that dialogue is a privileged way of “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect…” (Ephesians 4:15) with Muslims as well as with people of other faiths.

SIN IS AN OFFENSE AGAINST GOD

In the second section of today’s Gospel (MK 9:38-48), Jesus warns us of the seriousness of sin and its terrible consequences, “If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off ...” (MK 9:43-48).

What is sin? “Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor… and Sin is an offense against God…” (CCC nos. 1849-1850). God hates sin. Sin is an insult to God.

How can one live life to the fullest when all parts of our bodies commit sin? God has a perfect way and when we don’t go God’s way, we will stumble. We can cut off every part of the body but if our heart is not right, we still cannot go to heaven.

Jesus is trying to teach us today; sin is so against God that any part of us that sin should be cut off. Trust and believe in Jesus Christ that He is our only God and Saviour shows us the perfect way for life.


As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live out our walk. Speak words of peace and encouragement and help others to find joy in Christ.

TO SERVE THE LORD AND HIS PEOPLE

Fr. Mari Arokiam served in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur as a priest for 26 years. He was born on 9 October 1958 and was ordained as a priest on 8 September 1992, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His ordination theme: “My Soul Glorifies the Lord…” (LK 1:46). He was a charismatic preacher and a good singer. I came to know him when Fr. William and I were seminarians, doing our one-month pastoral work in St Joseph’s Church, Sentul. He always motivated, encouraged and supported the young seminarians as well as the youngsters, who were aspirants into priesthood.

He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 2017 and during his homily he said, “One day when I am dead and gone, I want to be remembered as a faithful priest who had compassion.” Indeed, he was a compassionate priest, especially towards the poor communities in the Felda Estates, when he was the Parish Priest of Church of John Marie Vianney in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. I still remember how we travelled to rubber and oil palm estates in Palong, Getcho, Bahau (bordering Pahang), Kuala Pilah, Gemas, Gemenceh and Tampin. He mainly ministered to the poor communities working in estates, Indonesian migrants and army personnel from East Malaysia, who lived in rural areas. He travelled without any qualm for 40-150kms almost three days a week. He had an intense passion to serve these small communities.

Fr Mari was a Senator of Negeri Sembilan District from 2006 to 2011. I remember an incident in 2007, when Fr. Mari and I traveled to Getcho Estate (about 120 kms from Tampin town) to hear the confessions of the 20 people who were staying in that particular estate. It was a 2-hour drive on a drizzly day. While driving, suddenly a cow crossed the small rural road we were on, and our vehicle bumped into it. Fr. Mari stopped the car at once to check on the animal, and luckily, it just ran away unharmed. His car however, was slightly dented - but we were grateful to God that neither cow, vehicle nor passengers, were hurt.

In these last five years, Fr. Mari has had some complications with his health, due to severe diabetes. He complained about pain, cramping and tiredness in his legs and feet, especially when walking and climbing stairs. There were several occasions when doctors had advised him to amputate his leg, due to the severity of his condition and the risk of onset arterial disease. However, with much determination and prayer, he managed to make it though, without requiring amputation. I admired him for this because, despite his medical complications, he didn't feel useless or irrelevant. He never failed to celebrate Mass at the Church of Assumption, Petaling Jaya (2016-2018) and in various other parishes, if there was a need.

Fr. Mari returned to the Lord on 15 September 2018, on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows at approximately 7.30pm. Despite aches and pain - and like Our Lady of Sorrows, who pondered them in her heart - Fr Mari too pondered them deep in his heart. These last few years, he was a quieter man, and often deep in prayer. Whenever he texted me, he always ended with “MMLU” (Mother Mary Loves You). He was very devoted to Our Lady, and his prayers mattered in his pain. His love for Mother Mary had given him much strength and will power to bear it patiently, and to go on in his priestly ministry to serve the Lord and His people, till his last breath.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.