I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD

This Sunday, 15 August 2021, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It takes precedence over the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Church ORDO has outranked the Sunday liturgical readings, and will observe the Solemnity of as a holy day of obligation and the liturgy will be for the Solemnity of the Assumption. 

The Catholic Church dedicates and celebrates more than 20 memorials, feasts and solemnities of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the year. Besides these, the Church has declared four dogmas or doctrines on Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in the salvation history of God.

i)               Mary, Mother of God (Theotokos) describes her role as Mother of Jesus, and the feast falls on 1st January. 

ii)             Perpetual Virginity or Mary virginal’s conception which holds that Mary was and is, Virgin before and after Christ’s birth.

iii)            Immaculate Conception of Mary (8th December) teaches us that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, was kept free of every stain of original sin.

iv)            The Assumption of Mary (15th August) teaches us that her body and soul assumed into heaven.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not stated in the Holy Scripture. On 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII announced it as a doctrine of the Catholic Church, “the Blessed Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Her body and soul assumed into heaven means there are no bones and no tomb of our Lady, to venerate. It is said that she did not die like other human beings, but God took her directly into heaven in a unique way. She was “uniquely graced, protected from sin, so that she might co-operate with her Son’s saving mission.”

During her earthly life, Mary was obedient to the will of God when she said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your word.” She realised that doing God’s will was (and still is) utmost important and greater than her own will. In our daily lives, we should learn how to discern and know God’s will for us, from Mary. She loved God dearly and God graced her with humility and simplicity, in order to courageously take part in God’s plan of salvation by saying, “Let it be done to me according to your words.” (Luke 1:38). This is the highest form of prayer she taught us - so that we can be set apart, as disciples of Jesus.

“There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others,” (Ada Adams).We face a lot of hardships and difficulties in our lives, but we hope for the best despite the challenges. As we persevere in life, we learn and value many things, and surely we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s take courage to do His will, and find hope in everything we do. Let our lives be like Mother Mary, as we reflect on Her faithfulness to do the will of God, through her humility and simplicity.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ! Amen!

REFORMED AND TRANSFORMED THROUGH PRAYER

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of August 2021 invites us to work for reformation and transformation of the Church in the light of the Gospel. It has to begin with “a reform of ourselves” through spiritual experiences - “an experience of prayer, an experience of charity and an experience of service”inspired by the Holy Spirit. When a person is reformed, then he or she can be fully formed in Christ, and in the life of the Church.

Pope Francis emphasised that the Catholic Church faces difficulties and crises these past few years, but it doesn’t mean that She is declining. In fact, She is alive and living through these crises and challenges! During this time of trials, the Holy Father invites us to discover our own vocation and our own identity as a Church “by discerning God’s will in our daily lives” and “embarking on a transformation” guided by the Holy Spirit. “Reform does not consist in words, but in attitude” to face the challenges and crises - either external or internal - by taking courage in order to reform oneself and the Church, in the light of the Gospel.

In our spiritual journey, we face a never-ending battle between what is good and what is evil - challenges and crises.  When we want to do good and to grow in goodness, the “enemy, the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5: 8). We need to have persistent and consistent attitudes by engaging with the Holy Spirit in our battles between what is good and what is evil. We as Christians, have an obligation to strive for holiness and perfection, by doing good and avoiding evil. We don’t grow in holiness overnight but it is  an on-going journey that gradually forms us, shapes us and moulds us. God wants us to be holy, “Be holy, because I am holy,” (Lev 11: 44) and His deepest will is for us to love Him and to love our fellow brothers and sisters.

One of the ways to reform our inner self is to enhance our spiritual life by taking examples from the Saints of the Church, who show us the way to heaven. First, we need to get to know our Patrons or Patronesses through our spiritual reading on the life of the Saints. During my Initiation Year in the seminary, we were given the task of reviewing books on the lives of the Saints. I can proudly say that their lives have inspired and reformed my faith to face the crises and challenges in my life as a seminarian, and now as a priest. Their lives have truly helped me be rooted in prayer, have profound love for the sacraments and to be compassionate to the marginalised.

This month of August, let us discipline ourselves by reading more spiritual books and books about the lives of the Saints. May we then be reformed and transformed through prayer, works of charity and service to others. Let us also strive to educate our children about Christ, and nurture them to grow in faith and to grow closer to Jesus. Let us open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts “until Christ is fully formed in you,” (Gal 4:19).

CONTINUE TO FIX OUR EYES ON GOD

It’s been almost 25 years since I was a student at the Seminary in Penang. I still recall going out to get my meals from a particular restaurant along Jalan Fettes in Tanjung Tokong called “No Eyed Deer” on Sundays and on public holidays when the kitchen at the Seminary was closed. I was really fascinated with the name of this restaurant and I understood it as – if one had “no idea” what to eat or where to eat – one just needed to go to this restaurant and would certainly find something to whet their appetite.

 

Similarly on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, The Star daily newspaper splashed the headline “Eye On Target” with a half-page photograph of the Malaysian Prime Minister along with several Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Dewan Rakyat, as they lamented on the National Recovery Plan. I read the headline as “PM is on Target’ and “Present Malaysian Government is on the Target” and I believe that they are! All eyes (especially those of the opposition party) are on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and members of his Cabinet. The rakyat are keeping a close watch on the present ruling party, which is highly ineffective, especially in tackling the Covid pandemic and the vaccination roll-out program.

 

The Dewan Rakyat was opened for the first time this year on Monday, 26 July 2021 after a state of emergency was declared in March 2021. The MPs met mainly to discuss the grave emergency threatening national security, how to flatten the pandemic curve, the economy, and other issues surrounding the COVID-19 situation in our nation. The rakyat has made it very clear that they are totally dissatisfied with the way the ruling alliance has handled the pandemic - including its action plan and vaccination efforts. It has become very difficult for the people to endure repeated restrictions as new COVID-19 variants emerge, especially with constantly changing SOPs. 

 

The cases of infections and deaths have sky-rocketed in recent weeks, and despite being in total lockdown, the number of cases seem to be on the rise each passing day. Lockdowns have been weak and improperly managed, and the rakyat are suffering for this. The MCO has been extended till the end of the year and many local and foreign workers have lost their jobs. Many others are faced with reduced work hours and salary cuts, making it near impossible to make ends meet. News of inefficient vaccination processes, with alarming reports of “empty syringes” being administered has shocked and appalled the nation.

We’re all rather tired of the restrictions and constant changes in relation to SOPs by the authorities. Frontliners are burnt out and the prolonged lockdown has taken a toll on the emotional, physical, mental, psychological and spiritual well-being of the rakyat. We can’t help but ask ourselves - how long more will we have to face these challenges? Will we have a more committed, accountable and transparent government?  

 

Answers to these questions can only be attained in due time. So, until then, let us continue to fix our eyes on God and be connected with one another. “Our endurance brings acceptance, acceptance brings hope and hope doesn’t disappoint us, for God has poured His love and mercy into our hearts,” (cf. Rom 5: 3-5).

 

LONGEVITY IS A BLESSING

On Monday, 26 July 2021, the Church celebrates the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne. They are among the more popular saints with Catholics in Peninsular Malaysia. Every year, a huge number of pilgrims throng the Shrines of St Anne at Bukit Mertajam and Port Klang, for Novenas and Masses.

The Holy Father Pope Francis, has dedicated the 4th Sunday of July as World Day of Grandparents and Elders, in conjunction with the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne (grandparents of Jesus) which this year, falls on 25 July 2021. In his pastoral care letter, Pope Francis addressed his concern for grandparents and elders, and highlighted their roles in God’s plan of salvation. He acknowledged their richness in many years of life, experiences and wisdom which can be offered for the mission of evangelising the Good News and transmitting the traditions and customs to younger generations. He also affirmed that God is always close with them in all their undertakings. Pope Francis, who is 84 years old, has the spirit of youthfulness in him. He tirelessly continues his apostolic journey across the continents and carries out the mission entrusted to him by Christ.

 

Some of us may have viewed video clips and movies pertaining to elderly people and how they have been disrespected, treated badly and lack connection with family and society. We must strive to allow grace and compassion to rise above, especially when serving and communicating with the elderly. The Church always acknowledges their presence, values their initiatives and contributions towards strengthening and building the Parish community. The Church will continue to do so, and will always give rightful dignity to them and ensure their relevance and importance in our daily lives, by providing various formations as well as social and healthcare assistance whenever possible.

 

Catholic priests visit the homebound and elderly parishioners without fail, in order to administer the Sacrament of Holy Anointing and Holy Communion when required, particularly during the seasons of Lent and Advent. Whereas the ExtraOrdinary Holy Communion Ministers reach out to them for Holy Communion on a regular basis.

I recall an occasion when I announced my homebound visit to an elderly person’s home one morning. She was so excited and eager, that she was up by 3am, waiting for my arrival! However, due to some unavoidable circumstances, I only managed to see her at noon. I was terribly embarrassed and felt so guilty when I had learned that she had been waiting for me all morning. At that moment, I realised how deep her faith in Christ was, and how much she yearned for the Lord in the Sacraments.

 

We want our elderly parents and grandparents to live long, healthy and peaceful lives. We want to see them happy and joyful in their golden years, surrounded by loving family and friends. We pray for those who have been abandoned and for those who are lonely and isolated, especially during this time of pandemic. We pray for their spiritual strength and for their physical well-being. Scripture respects and honours the elderly and it says that “longevity is a blessing.” May God’s will be done unto them.

THE RICHNESS OF MANY YEARS OF LIFE

Every 4th Sunday in July, we celebrate World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly and this year, it will be celebrated on 25 July 2021, in anticipation of the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne (grandparents of Jesus). During the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (31 May 2021), the Holy Father, Pope Francis, released a pastoral care letter for the first World Day of Grandparents and Elderly with the theme - “I am with you always,” (MT 28: 20). It was the last words of Jesus to His Disciples before He ascended into heaven.

In the letter, Pope Francis emphasises that the vocation of the elderly which is “to preserve our roots, to pass on the faith to the young and to care for the little ones.” It is also a “new invitation” to the older generations in our families and communities to deepen and discern their “richness of many years of life, experience and history behind them.” The Holy Father affirms that grandparents and the elderly have an essential role in God’s salvation plan. He added “there is no retirement age for the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, of transmitting traditions to the grandchildren.” 

 

There is no age criteria to proclaim the Good News to all people but the Lord is always “close to us with new possibilities, new ideas, and new consolations.” Each one of us represents the present and future of the Church and we “have a place in God’s plan” and are “actors in a pastoral evangelising ministry, privileged witnesses of God’s faithful love.” In this time of global pandemic, the Holy Father sympathises with the elderly, especially those who are sick and those who experience the death of spouses or loved ones, as well as those who are lonely and depressed.

 

At this time of difficulty, the Holy Father expresses his deep care and concern for people who are unable to leave their homes or unable to visit their elderly parents, grandparents and old folks’ home due to the pandemic restrictions. Therefore, it is important for us to stay connected with our grandparents, elderly friends, the poor and the needy through various social networking services - to read the Scripture to them, to pray the Psalms and the Rosary for them. In his letter, the Holy Father invites us to reflect on these few questions:

 

a)    How can this be possible when my energy is running out and I don’t think I can do much?

b)     How can I begin to act differently when habit is so much a part of my life?

c)    How can I devote myself to those who are poor when I am already so concerned about my family?

d)     How can I broaden my vision when I can’t even leave the residence where I live?

e)     Isn’t my solitude already a sufficiently heavy burden?

 

The world needs grandparents and the elderly in order to build a stronger foundation for all our tomorrows. Grandchildren need their grandparents for their wisdom and knowledge, for their experience, advise and unconditional love, and especially for their stories of the past that root them together in faith, tradition and family.