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.

TO BE GREAT DISCIPLES

“If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all,” (MK 9:35).

Our loving God gave all of us certain talents and gifts so that we may be able to enjoy life here on earth and that we may be able to use them to make a living and serving one another.

Jesus knew that the greatest service we can do for one another is to accept one another and to see another person as important and valuable. We tend to focus on our own needs, our own desires and our own goals. It is good for us to focus our attention on the needs of others. Whether we are young or old we should serve one another and the needy as well.

Jesus takes a little one and brings them close to his heart. He embraces them. He tells us that we are to do the same with all others - not just children - but all people. All we need to do is be open and receptive. We are to receive them in our hearts. We are to treat all people with the same respect and love that we do for our own family and for ourselves.

Do we want to ask Jesus to help us find ways we can be of service to others?

A TRUE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and followe me.” (Mark 8:34).

Jesus Christ willingly gave up everything on the cross so that we could have forgiveness of sin and salvation. Those of us who want to be his followers must also be willing to take up our cross, give up everything and follow him.

Today’s Gospel is all about discipleship. Jesus has an interesting interaction with His disciples, especially Simon Peter. Following Jesus means to walk in His footsteps and where he leads us to go. We must desire to follow Jesus. It means a will to choose to obey him in every area.

Following Jesus affects our lifestyles and our day-to-day behavior. It requires faith, commitment and daily devotion to God’s will and purpose for our lives.


Are you following your own way or Jesus’ way? Let’s renew our commitments to really give God our soul and our life for Jesus and his Church.