ENSURE THAT OUR FAMILIES ENJOY GOD’S FAVOUR

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family by inviting families to live as one holy family in both harmony and peace.  Our Church dedicates this feast at the end of the year for families to look at how we have journeyed and moved as a family in the last one year. The reason for this feast, is also to show the importance of family obligations, relationships and holiness as the basic unit of Christian life and living. 

One of the important Hindu philosophies taught that one is to love and honour their first four instructors in one’s life; which are - “மாதா (matha), பிதா (pitha), குரு (guru), தெய்வம் (thaivam).” In English the phrase translates mother, father, teacher and God. To honour to mother and father have come first in their teachings whereas in Christianity, only the Fourth Commandment speaks about honouring father and mother. In any case, I have always emphasised to our children in Catechism to strictly observe this Fourth Commandment in their lives.

 

The author of the book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) also reminds us that it is not only for children but the commandment is also applicable to us as adults, to honour our parents. Every one of us must be obedient, revere and give a-due respect to our parents and even the elderly folks.  The author also promises that “long life comes to anyone who honour” (Sir 3:6) father and mother. We need to show our tender, love and care for our parents and our children will definitely imitate the example as they grow up and mature up, with more love and care. If we do not treat our parents well, surely the same treatment shall be rendered by the young ones to us. 

When we are obligated in carrying out our duties and responsibilities, then graces will be given to us. Let us learn to be more compassionate, kind and patient towards our parents and which would strengthen our family relationships. As head of our families, we need to guide our children with the Word of God and carefully observe especially the Fourth Commandment as the book Proverb says, “Give a lad a training suitable to his character and, even when old, he will not go back on it,” (Pro 22: 6). When we, as parents, do not read the Word of God and observe God’s commandments, then how are we going to train and teach our children the Christian way of life.  It is the responsibility of parents to live out their faith with reverence and respect for God and train their children the way of God. In turn surely, they will grow gracefully in maturity, wisdom and age (cf. Lk 2:40). 

 

In the Gospel (Lk 2: 22-40), Jesus shows His obedience to His earthly parents - Mary and Joseph - which comes from His obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus grew up in a family and He would have faced all kinds of challenges in many ways like our own children go through in their lives at home, school, college and work place. We just hope that they do not get influenced by the secular world and walk into the wrong direction of their lives.  

 

To enjoy God’s favour and His blessing, we need to place Jesus as the head of our families so that we become more loving, intimate, forgiving and understanding in our relationships. Let us ensure that our families enjoy God’s favour and His blessing as we imitate the Holy Family of Nazareth and nurture within ourselves, the holiness in each one of us and of our families.

CELEBRATE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Advent began on 29 November 2020 and we are finally in the Christmas season – a season that will last till 10 January 2021, when we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus. This Christmas is going to be one of mixed-feelings for many because we are still unable to participate in the Eucharistic celebration as Masses continue to be suspended due to the spike in numbers of COVID-19 cases, especially in the Klang Valley. The year 2020 will certainly go down in history as a Christmas without the Eucharistic celebration for those of us in the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese. Hopefully, with God’s mercy and compassion, we will be able to start afresh in 2021. 

For all of us, this Christmas will be different from all other years before, and for many of us, it will be the first time that we are physically absent from Church during Christmas Mass and will not be receiving the Eucharist. Yes! It is going to be an odd sensation for me too, as I celebrate Mass on my own at the main sanctuary of the Church without my congregation. I still remember the feeling I get every Christmas Eve Mass; I always feel overwhelmed, especially when the choir sings the classical melody - “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Unfortunately, the songs of the choir will not be echoing in our Church this year, and our Parishioners will not be able to admire the beautifully decorated Church premises.

 

However, despite the situation and circumstance, we still have to press on with our lives, and remember that the coming of our Saviour is the reason for this season. So, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Celebrate with immediate family at home, praying and thanking God for all His blessings, and remain safe while strictly adhering to the SOPs set by the government.

 

I would like to share some good news with my dearest Parishioners on this Christmas Day. After praying and reflecting recently, I wrote a letter to His Grace Archbishop Julian Leow on 11 December 2020, requesting him to declare the Church of St Joseph, Sentul, a Pilgrim Parish. His Grace was in favour of this and has designated our Parish as a Pilgrim Centre for the Year 2021, in conjunction with the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church by the Holy Father Pope Francis, who recently announced the Year of St Joseph and Plenary Indulgence from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021.

 

So, my dear Parishioners, it is going to be another hectic and happening year for us! It will be an opportunity to revamp our Parish and take it to greater heights! Once we start reopening our church for Masses and various activities, I hope Parishioners will be energetic, spirited and motivated to get involved in various ministries, formations and activities. The two key words we need to bear in mind when we launch the Year of St Joseph are, - welcoming and hospitable – especially towards pilgrims. St Joseph has been our Parish Patron since 1908, so let’s continue to pray and imitate the virtues of St Joseph, and through his intercession, may he bring success to the work of our hands.

 

On that note, I would like to wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas. May your lives be filled with God’s good gifts, abundant joy and heaven’s peace. “...the rising Sun has come from on high to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow dark as death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79).

A SEASON OF GIVING AND SHARING

A week prior to Christmas, every year, the Parish Integral of Human Development Ministry (PIHDM) of the Church of St Joseph in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, holds the annual School Uniform Campaign cum Christmas gathering for underprivileged local and migrant school children living within the vicinity of Sentul. It has always been the Church’s tradition to support these school children especially during this time of year, as Christmas is a season for giving and sharing.Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Conditional Movement Controlled Order (CMCO), we faced numerous challenges in trying to organise the campaign this year. However, we are thankful to Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara, the Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, for his support and generous contribution, which made it possible for us to proceed with this annual school uniform campaign.

Initially, the PIHDM decided to forego the School Uniform Campaign this year due to the pandemic, financial difficulties faced by many including our Parishioners, as well as the suspension of Mass celebrations and gatherings within the Church premises. Fortunately, Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara has impelled, encouraged and motivated us to commit ourselves to this outreach. We thank him for his support and kind generosity towards this worthy cause. As we began making preparations for this event, a few other well-wishers have come along to support our project this year.

Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara will be officiating the event, bringing Christmas cheer to the underprivileged school children, on Sunday, 20 December 2020 at Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas, Church of St. Joseph, Sentul at 11.00am. 

 

Due to the implementation of the CMCO, we have only invited 20 underprivileged school children to attend the event this year. The remaining 230 children will either be given vouchers and directed to the designated shop to redeem their uniforms, or will have their uniforms delivered to them, if they are unable to collect them personally. As per the usual practice, we distribute uniform sets worth RM150 for each student. This consists of two (2) sets of shirts, trousers or pinafores, a school bag, a pair of shoes and stationery.

 

In previous years, the PIHDM would usually organise a fund-raising project by reaching out to our Parishioners for contributions and support towards this meaningful event. Two months before Christmas, the PIHDM would begin their preparations and stage-by-stage fundraising exercise. We encourage Parishioners to “adopt a child” with a minimum RM100 donation, in order to support this event. Our target was to reach out to around 450 - 500 underprivileged children.

One month or so before the distribution of school uniforms, we would invite the children for a fitting session, to determine their uniform and shoe sizes. After purchasing the relevant sets, we would pack these accordingly, in preparation for collection day. The distribution of the Uniform sets is usually held a week before Christmas, and on that day, the children are treated to an afternoon of entertainment, carols, activities, games and fellowship to bring the joy of Christmas into their hearts.

We have successfully carried out this campaign without fail for many years because of the support and contributions of the kind-hearted Parishioners of St Joseph’s Church. In addition to the annual School Uniform Campaign, the PIHDM reaches out to our adoptees (poor families) by providing a monthly provision of essential groceries. These past four years, we have also celebrated World Day of the Poor and Parish Family Day on the third Sunday of November with these families and all our Parishioners.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dato’ Sri Dr. Edmund Santhara, Datuk Seri Magiln Dennis D’Cruz (Chairman of Persatuan Pembangunan Progresif - PPP Malaysia), the PIHDM committee members, many individuals, sponsors and Parishioners who have worked tirelessly towards the success of this event. As we come to the close of the year 2020, despite the pandemic, we have truly had a fulfilling year working together with one spirit. The year comes to end with another memorable and significant event, as we share the joy of Christmas with those less fortunate than us. We have realised our Parish Mission for the year 2020, “To Embrace the 5Ls (Last, Lost, Least. Little and Lonely)” so let us look forward and walk towards the Year 2021, the Year of Saint Joseph, as announced by the Holy Father Pope Francis, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron Saint of the Universal Church.

JESUS IS OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT

We have finally come to the 4th week of Advent, the last week of our preparation for the Christmas celebration. It has so far an unpleasant Spirit of Advent and is a very difficult time of the year for me. I personally didn’t prepare much for this Christmas and hence I don’t have much to say this season, and my reason is primarily because of how COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down many of our spiritual exercises these past 10 months.

In the 1st week of Advent itself, we have started to set up Crib and light up the Church compound with Christmas light. The Christmas Crib was placed at the main gate next to the Shrine of St. Joseph, the Worker. It is meant to make things easier more convenient for people to pay homage at the Crib and leave the Church at once. We placed the figurine of Mother Mary and Joseph inside the Crib on the day of Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of Mary, a day that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, inaugurated the Year of St Joseph – just to mark that day as a special day for us, and also a special year for all of us. 

Fast forwarding, in 5 days’ time, we will be celebrating Christmas - celebration of the Word Made Flesh (Jn 1:14). In today’s Gospel (LK 1: 26-38), Mary has found favour with God. She has chosen to bear to God’s only begotten Son in her womb as she responded - “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Your word.”

 

When we look at the life of Mary, we can imagine how tough she would have gone through her life when the child was conceived and how God’s Son was brought into the world. She was willing to take risk in her life and her own reputation to carry out the plan God had. Still a human, she was afraid and wondered how this plan but God affirmed her, “Do not be afraid!” Her faith in God’s plan was strong and constant, that she gave all of herself to His will. She was indeed the favoured one.

 

God’s favour came to Mary, because of her simplicity and humility. Through her faith and her “Yes” - the Word became flesh. This is indeed a great example that we can take after, and we need to be like more and more like this wonderful woman. We need to imitate her faith in God, by saying “Yes” in doing God’s favour in all things. Mary chose to submit to His plan by letting go of her own life, and so should we. More of God, Less of me.  In choosing to do God’s favour, our prayers should be - “Here, I am Lord, I come to do your will.” Our willingness and submission to the will of God will open for us, the Grace of God. 

 

As we look closely at the Mother Mary and her response to God’s favour, our faith requires this ongoing submission to God’s plan and conversion of our hearts.  So from now, till Christmas day, let us take a closer look at the life of Mary and how she has responded to God’s invitation and wills, throughout her life as we know.

 

We need to really understand Christmas during this COVID-19 pandemic. It is not how we want to spend on Christmas but rather how are we going to spend Christmas with our families. The holiday season is here and it is very good idea if we stay in, and spend that quality time with our loved ones. With the spirit of humility, let us pray that God’s favour comes upon us as we say - “not my will but yours” and cooperate with His plan by saying “Yes” to Him.

BE JOYFUL AND REJOICE IN THE LORD

3^rd Sunday of Advent – Homily

A close friend of mine has shared with me that he had a recent encounter with one of his siblings after more than 35 years of no contact, over a personal misunderstanding. He spent more than an hour, having a heart to heart talk with his sibling. He added this meeting, this Advent felt very different.  It is very moving!  The season has led his heart to have more concern and care this sibling, like an inner ecstatic rejoicing, as a result of a repaired relationships. As they started to heal, and rebuild block by block, towards a healthier relationship between them, their healing hearts also start radiate and emit the Joy of Christ.

Our Third Sunday of Advent is also always known as “Gaudete Sunday” – to rejoice and be glad because the Lord is near. As we are fast approaching Christmas, it is also time for us to repair any of our broken relationships, roll back all our worries, frustrations and hurt feelings and let GOD be in control of them. Advent season is also that time that gives us an opportunity to undergo another positive transformation. It prepares our hearts to welcome the Lord, again, into our lives, and one of the best way of healing is really to repent for our wrong doings and ask for His intimate forgiveness. Just ask sincerely, “God, I am sorry … forgive me for …”

Truly, it’s a guarantee that this season of Advent, will be extra special, because we make every effort to correct ourselves, and reconcile with our unfinished or unsettled “businesses”. Jesus will be born in our humble abode of our hearts, and the we will definitely feel the fiery joy of Christmas, lighting our paths in our the gloom of our hearts.  

We have arrived the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and John the Baptist shows us the Light and the Light is getting brighter and brighter as we come closer to Christmas. Today’s Gospel (Jn 1: 6-8, 19-28) speaks about the work of John the Baptist calls us “to bear witness to the Light.” Before the arrival of Jesus, people were living in darkness and waiting for the Light. When the Light came into the world, it dispelled the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome the Light. The Light of Christ can never be extinguished from our lives, and with Hope, Love and Jesus, the Light of our lives penetrates sharply and overcomes our spiritual darkness, and shining our paths, so that we may walk in the Light of Truth. That way, we can always see where we are walking, and hopefully reduce our slips, trips and falls.    

One of our life purposes, is to search for happiness. From time to time, we lose this happiness in our lives because we left the main highway, and pursue worldly things. We easily pick up bad habits and be distracted from our main highway to the Heavens, and before we know it – we are back in the dark cold surrounding.  Guess what, that could be temporary – and we can discipline ourselves and get back to the main road, by dropping unhealthy attitudes and behaviour. Push away our pride, selfishness – instead make way for humility and charitable heart. That way, you reopen that door in your hearts and let the joy of Christ, radiate back into our lives. It is hard and not easy, but it’s definitely doable, letting go and let God! Jesus will bring with Him, gifts of inner peace and joy, and that state of feeling safe?  That’s Jesus, and no one can and will separate us.

Therefore, we should always be joyful and rejoice in the Lord, (1 Thess 5: 16-24), and pray unceasingly. Pray today that we may have the courage to straighten up those rough, rocky and rugged spots in our lives and make way for the Christmas Light to shine strong and bright in our lives. Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice!