CARING FOR THE SICK WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION

Saint Pope John Paul II declared 11 February as the World Day of the Sick which coincides with the commemoration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is a day that the Universal Church prays specially for the sick and also for those who are dedicated to the care of the sick – doctors, nurses and caregivers. It was initiated by Saint John Paul II in 1992 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (1991). He encouraged everyone to pray for all those who are suffering with all kind of diseases.

This year as we celebrate the 28th World Day of the Sick, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen the theme entitled, “Come to me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest,” (Matt 11: 28). Jesus was in solidarity with all those who were hurt, the afflicted, the poor, the sick, the sinners and the marginalised. These people were depending on Him, and in need of healing. Christ Jesus did not provide the sick “prescriptions, but through His passion, death and resurrection He frees us from the grip of evil.” Jesus invites every sick person to come to Him in order to find strength, hope, peace and joy. The Church is like the “inn” of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:34), and is also a home where the sick encounters God’s grace and finds “closeness, acceptance and relief.”

Pope Francis has brought to our attention, that we lack empathy in our approach towards those who are facing all kinds of “grave suffering, incurable and chronic diseases, physiological diseases, situations calling for rehabilitation or palliative care, numerous forms of disability, children’s or geriatric diseases”. The “human warmth and personalised approach of Christ” are very much lacking among the healthcare professionals, workers and volunteers. They need to approach the sick “not just for curing but also for caring” for them with love. We too must give our personalised approach to the sick and to their family members who need our support, comfort and prayers.

The Holy Father recalls two important Encyclicals [cf. Donum Vitae, #5 (Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origins and on the Dignity of Procreation issued on 22 February 1987); and Evangelium Vitae, #29-53 – The Gospel of Life issued on 25 March 1995)]. Pope Francis quotes both these Encyclicals which were written by John Paul II and they speak about life being sacred and belonging to God. Furthermore, he adds that life has to be “welcomed, protected, respected and served from its beginning to its end.” He urges that every healthcare professionals should “always strive to promote the dignity  and life of each person, and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness.”

The Holy Father acknowledged and thanked all the health care workers such as physicians, nurses, medical and administrative, professionals, assistants and volunteers for making “patients feel the presence of Christ who consoles and cares for the sick and heals every hurt.” Sometimes healthcare professionals are unable “to provide care and healing, but gestures and procedures” they may give comfort and relief to the sick.

Many across the world have “no access to medical care because they live in poverty.” The Holy Father urges the “healthcare institutions and government leaders not to neglect social justice out of preoccupation for financial concerns.” He hopes that everyone has access to suitable treatments for preserving and restoring ones’ health. The Holy Father concludes his message by thanking the volunteers who are dedicated to the care of sick, to act with “tender love and closeness” reflecting the image of Christ, the Good Samaritan.

I take my hat off to some of the family members, maids and volunteers who look after their sick members. I too feel saddened when I see the elderly or the sick and the dying left alone, either at home or in nursing homes or hospitals. They need us to embrace and care for them. It is good for us to reflect on the texts from Matthew 25: 35-36, 40 “… I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was stranger, I was naked, I was sick, I was in prison…” which remind us that we need to share God’s love, mercy and compassion with those in need of healing in mind and body, spirit and soul.

LIGHT A LAMP FOR OTHERS

When we hear the creation stories, the world was described as “darkness” and the first creative act of God was the invention of light, (Gen 1:1-3). Light is important to everything we do. Light is used to lead the way out of darkness. 

In the Gospel of John (8:12) Jesus describes himself as the “Light of the world” and In the Gospel today (Matt 5:13-16), Jesus invites us to be the light of the world! Jesus was light in the darkness of their illnesses or hopelessness or sinfulness.

Our mission is to bring others into the light of Christ and to share the glory of God. Good deeds for others are simply the expression of our relationship which lights us from within. 

Our mission has a purpose beyond our church and the circles of our faith community. It is in community that we discover the light that shines through us. We must shine before others, that others may see our good deeds. When we light a lamp for others - the Lost, Last, Least, Little and Lonely - it will also brighten our path.

“The just man is a light in the darkness to the upright,” (Ps 112)

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/caring-for-the-sick-with-love-and-compassion/

THE NEED FOR SELF-CARE IN SERVING GOD AND HIS PEOPLE

At the Masses last weekend (25 & 26 January), we celebrated Sunday of the Word of God in our Parish. As a part of our homilies, Monsignor James Gnanapiragasam and I preached about the official logo of the Sunday of the Word of God, which was unveiled at the Vatican on 17 January 2020. In all our weekend Masses, including the Myanmar Mass, we explained the significance of the logo and the chosen theme: Encountering Jesus on the Road to Emmaus by two disciples (Cleopas and Mary, his wife). 

Some people were not aware that the third Sunday in Ordinary Time is also known as Sunday of the Word of God. In our Parish, we celebrated this newly established Sunday of the Word of God in a simple enthronement of the Book of Gospel by placing it at the front of the main sacred altar. Even though it was a small gesture of enthronement, we made known the importance of reading the Word of God and encouraging everyone to have a deeper appreciation and love for the Word of God as well as a desire to live a life of faith. When we implement and “make room for the very Word of God” in our daily lives, we will gradually experience the “closeness of God in our lives” and how He leads us into “deep waters,” (cf. Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, 26 January 2020).

Every now and then, we should make an effort to read the daily Mass readings which has been set by the Catholic Church. I believe that every home has a 2020 Catholic calendar. In that calendar you will find the references for the day’s readings and also, saint(s) of the day. Nowadays, the Word of God is available in many forms and languages, even as an “app” on your gadgets. The Holy Father encourages us “each day, let us read a verse or two of the Bible,” and “let us keep it open on our table, carry it in our pocket, read it on our cell phones, allow it to inspire us daily.”

In January, the clergy (Bishops, Priests and Deacons) of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur had our Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) from 13-16 January (Monday-Thursday) at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute (API), Kuala Lumpur. The theme for this year was “Self- Care and the Need for Priestly On-going Formation.” It was a reminder to all Clergy to look into our health and the need for on-going formation. The same goes to all parishioners - where you too need to look after yourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually and the need for on-going formation for your own personal growth and renewal. There are many formations and spiritual retreats being offered in our Parish, district and at Archdiocese levels.

All of us have responsibilities in life and are often busy with so many things. We struggle to find time for ourselves and to be with the Lord. It can be very challenging, but when we practice self-care, we are able to grow in a healthier way and become more confident and productive in life. We can also make better decisions, build stronger relationships and be effective communicators of the Good News. We must make sure we take good care of our bodies, minds and souls. We must learn to eat right, stress less, exercise regularly and take periodical holidays with our families.

We have been promoting the ALPHA program in our Parish for the past one month. From 1 February 2020, the program will run for 10 consecutive Saturdays, including a weekend away. There are a total of 65 participants signed up for the program, with 15 ALPHA facilitators and they will be busy for the next two months! There will be a few more formations coming up in the near future, and I encourage all Parishioners to get involved and be equipped with the knowledge of God, so that you may be a source of effective ministry serving God and His people.

BRING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST TO OTHERS

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple which occurs forty days after the Nativity of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas day.

Mary and Joseph were fulfilling obligations of the Law of Moses. What was that law?  During the time of Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt, God gave to His people a rule requiring that every firstborn child must be “dedicated” to the Lord, (cf. Ex 13:1-3).

Simeon after taking Jesus in his arms, proclaimed him to be “a light of revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk. 2:32). 

We were presented to God by our parents and godparents on the day of our Baptism. At every Holy Mass when we participate, we present ourselves on the altar before God. 

We are consecrated people, therefore, we are obliged to lead our lives holy and lead others as well to live holy lives and to make Christ known to others. This is supposed to be a way of life of a Christian. This feast reminds us that we must continuously bring the light of Christ in the hearts of others.

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/the-need-for-self-care-in-serving-god-and-his-people-1/

INSTRUMENTS OF THE WORD OF GOD

Pope Francis invites the Church to observe the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time each year as the Sunday of the Word of God like our annual “Bible Sunday”. When the Holy Father published his Apostolic Letter, Mottu Proprio “Aperuit Illis” (AI) on 30 September 2019 (on the inauguration of the 1600^th anniversary of St Jerome’s death), he invited every Catholic “to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God,” (AI, no. 3). The Church will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God on 26 January 2020 with the theme from Luke’s Gospel (24:45), which describes how the disciples on the Road to Emmaus encountered the Risen Lord and how “He opened (Aperuit) their minds to understand the Scriptures.” As we reflect on this text, we realise that without the Risen Lord, it is impossible for us “to understand Scripture in depth” (AI, no. 1).

The Universal Church will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God worldwide, to give all Catholics an opportunity to “concentrate on the great value that the Word of God occupies in its daily existence” and “the inexhaustible richness contained in the constant dialogues between the Lord and His people,” (AI, no.2). The Church encourages Bible reading among Catholics regularly and prayerfully, and to listen to the Word attentively. The Bible is not the privilege of a few but the Church emphasises that every home and every individual should possess at least a copy of the Bible, (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, Vatican Council II, 1965). After 55 years of celebrating this dogma on the Divine Revelation, Pope Francis wants to “stimulate all Christians not to just place the Bible on a shelf as one of many books,  perhaps filled with dust - but as an instrument that awakes our faith,” (AI, no.4).

When we read the familiar text on the road to Emmaus, the scene of the Risen Lord and the disciples demonstrates “the unbreakable bond  between Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist”. The Holy Father reminds us that the Sunday of the Word of God should not just be celebrated as a yearly event but as an urgent need for us “to grow in our knowledge and love of the scriptures and of the Risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of  believers,” (AI, no. 8). In the last paragraph, the Holy Father hopes that the Sunday of the Word of God will help every one of us “grow in religious and intimate familiarity with the Sacred Scriptures,” (AI, no. 15).

The Holy Father has also highlighted the responsibilities of pastors, preachers and catechists “to read the Bible often,” “to take time to pray” and “meditate the sacred text” so that one “can speak from the heart and thus reach the hearts of those who hear us, conveying what is essential and capable of bearing fruit.” (AI, no. 5).

The Holy Father urges us to read the Bible using the “lectio divina” method - to pray daily with the Sacred Scriptures (AI, no. 13), share the word of God with others (AI, no. 12), listen to the Word and practice the mercy (AI, no. 13). Mother Mary kept the word and witnessed it in her life - humbly, faithfully, hopefully and lovingly (AI, no. 15). On this  Sunday of the Word of God, let’s make Scripture a part of our everyday lives and renew our commitment to be living instruments of transmission of the Word of God.

“Your word, O Lord, is lamp for my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119:105).