OPEN OUR HEARTS AND RECONCILE TO GOD

Pope Francis’ message for Lent this year, which was announced on 24 February 2020, is themed – “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God,” (2 Cor 5:20). He invites everyone to embrace the Mystery of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection (the Paschal Mystery) – as the basis for conversion. The season of Lent is a time of preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, urging us to grow in our relationship with God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we are able “to see and touch with faith, the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.”

God is always engaged in a “dialogue of salvation with us” desiring to save us, despite our weaknesses and short comings. As we have begun this holiest season on Ash Wednesday, 26 February 2020, the Holy Father speaks about the “urgency of conversion” as individuals and as a community. Pope Francis wants us to keep our eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, who was sinless, yet took on “the weight of our sins.” At this time of grace and on this day of salvation, you should not allow His grace to pass by in vain, but “let yourself be saved over and over again” and “let yourself be cleansed” as you firmly believe in His mercy.

He also speaks about the importance of prayer during Lent – that prayer is “more than a duty” as it is an expression of responding to God’s love “which always precedes and sustains us.” At this favourable time, we take every opportunity “to stop sleeping and wake up” (Roman 13:11) and enter into “a dialogue of heart with God” through prayer. We should always have a set time and place, to pray and contemplate Jesus’ Paschal Mystery, so that we may grow in true maturity in faith and have a sincere conversion of heart.

During Lent, the Holy Father wants us to place the Paschal Mystery at the “centre of our lives and feel compassion towards the wounds of the crucified Christ present in many innocent victims” from various forms of attack, violence, war, trafficking, ecological calamities and imbalanced distribution of natural resources. Lent is a time for us to grow in deeper dialogue with God through “renewed gratitude for God’s mercy and for increased compassion towards people whose lives are under attack.”

Every individual should participate in the building of a better world through almsgiving, fasting and prayer. These three traditional pillars of Lenten observances make us more human. We should be generous in sharing our goodwill, our richness and gifts from God, with those in most need, in order to make the world a better place for everyone, rather than just keeping these to ourselves. Lent is a time for us to purify our hearts again and again, rather than indulge in the spirit of the world, because worldliness is “the enemy of God.” (cf. James 4:4).

At the end of the Lenten message, the Holy Father urges for the intercession of Mother Mary “to pray that our Lenten celebration will open our hearts to hear God’s word to be reconciled to himself, to fix our gaze on the Paschal Mystery, and to be converted to an open and sincere dialogue with him.” May Our Mother encourage us to deny ourselves and we say “yes” to the Love of God by serving one another with generous and sincere hearts.

My best wishes and prayers that we, as a community will be resurrected to a new life, a new level of holiness and a new closeness with the Risen Lord this Easter.

RENEWING OUR COMMITMENTS

Lent 2020 has begun! How are we going to do this Lent? Is it going to be better than the last year Lent. Of course, each time we would like to renew our commitments to do Lent better!

The Gospel (Matt 4:1-11) presents with temptation stories. The three temptations are to turn stones into bread, to throw himself down from the top of the temple and to worship the Satan. In these three temptations, the Satan was trying to distort God’s salvation plan through Jesus.

The temptations are always interesting but they are obstacles for us to live fulfil the plan of God. The forty days of fasting, prayer and almsgiving prepare us to be entirely focused on being God’s plan and walk in His way.

Temptations are all around us, all the time. In all temptations we should make our choice in line with the plan of God and to fulfil it. Making a free decision to love God is part of what it means to be “fully human, fully alive.”

During this time of spiritual renewal, let us renew our commitment to live out our calling in the fullest possible way and testify our Catholic identity.

“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” (Ps 51).

REAWAKEN YOUR SPIRITUALITY THIS LENT

Lent - the holiest season, begins next week. How time flies! Time is a most precious gift, just as life is a precious gift. Our time is our life. Time gives us an opportunity to make changes within ourselves. So, we must make wise decisions when using time, and bring it to fulfillment and enjoyment, as we move on in our lives.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (26 February 2020) and as we enter solemnly into this season, we hope it will bring a change within us to repent, forgive and seek forgiveness. Lent is a gift to us to reflect on how we live and to find ways on how we can love more fully, as Pope Francis said, “Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” As we go deeper into the 40 days of Lent, we may feel “spiritually drowsy” or “spiritually lethargic,” but we should focus and refocus our efforts at growing in virtue. 

The season of Lent is quite a long period, the Church calls us to awaken and not to fall asleep like the foolish virgins who missed their chance to meet the Bridegroom (Mt 25:1-4). As we enter into Lent, we need to be “quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to rouse your temper,” (James 1:19). This text occurred on Wednesday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time and it touched me most.

i)              Quick to listen or hear – We should pay attention and listen to God’s voice every moment of the day during Lent. God may speak to us or tell us something we don’t like. He may also speak to us through a person whom we hate most. Perhaps, they have hurt us in a way that we have decided not to forgive.

ii)             Slow to speak – We are invited once again to pray and meditate and to discern the right moment to open our mouths. At times we have said something and later we have regretted it deeply.

iii)           Slow to anger – In anger we are quick to judge and we jump to conclusions without allowing others the benefit of doubt. Therefore, we must take the time to understand others before jumping to conclusions. When we are angry, we often use harmful words and hurt others, but we should quickly go and make amends or corrections.

During Lent, we try our best to keep these thoughts in our minds and steadily improve ourselves, and embrace every opportunity to glorify God, save ourselves from evil and do good to others.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia has agreed to set pastoral recommendations for Ash Wednesday on the instructions for imposition of Ashes in all parishes and mass centers. 

a)     Priests and other extraordinary ministers tasked with the imposition of ashes should thoroughly wash and disinfect their hands prior to and immediately after the Imposition of Ashes.

b)    Following the long-established custom in Rome, ashes will be imposed by the minister by sprinkling dry ash on the crown of a person’s head (whilst saying one of the formulas prescribed in the missal). The previous local custom of drawing a cross on the forehead of a person, with moistened ash, is suspended.

c)     No holy water should be added to the ash before sprinkling dry ash on the crown of a person’s head.

Although Ash Wednesday is not a day of obligation and the imposition of ashes is not mandatory, the archbishops and bishops would like to retain this practice even under the weight of the current crisis – COVID 19 (Wuhan Corona virus), provided that the above steps are taken to minimise the risk of infection.

We continue to pray for the current situation and prepare ourselves for this holiest season of our Church year. Let us strive for the best Lent of our life.

The Archbishops and Bishops of the Conference, wish every faithful a Holy Lent.

LOVE OUR ENEMIES

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”  

Jesus tells His disciples that the goal of life in the kingdom of God is to Love our enemies. Do good to them those who hate us. Bless them those who curse us. Pray for those who persecute us. Jesus tells us to love everyone, even our enemies, (Matthew 5:43-48).

Jesus gets to the heart of what is new in the Law of Love. Jesus tells His followers to forget about revenge and punishment. If we are truly Christians, forgive those who hurt us. We must love everyone, whether they are friends or enemies. 

The word Love used by Jesus to tell us to love unconditionally was quite different from the way we love our nearest and dearest! The word Jesus used to say that we are to love everyone unconditionally, even our enemies.

Maturity of love is what it takes to love our neighbours and to go extra miles and become peacemakers.

“The Lord is kind and merciful.” (PS 103)

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/reawaken-your-spirituality-this-lent/

DOING GOOD IN GOD’S GRACE

While I was reflecting on what to write this weekend, I realised that there was a need for all of us in conquering evil. On Thursday, 13 February 2020, the Benedictus antiphon of morning prayer (Lauds) echoed – “Let us serve the Lord in holiness, and he will deliver us from the hands of our enemies,” (cf. Luke 1:74).

Jesus came into the world to bring God’s salvation, so that His people would serve freely - without fear and in holiness. Even when we are under the threat of evil, the Lord will deliver us from the hands of our enemies so that we are able to serve Him in holiness. Every one of us faces evil, and we can only conquer it when we persevere in prayer life, are persistent in our faith and disciplined in our behaviour. When we wish to do good, God will give us His grace to overcome evil with His goodness. Doing good doesn’t come naturally in our lives. It is a permanent struggle between good and evil as St Paul described, “the good thing I want to do, I never do; the evil thing which I do not want – that is what I do,” (Romans 7:19). When we have positive struggles, God will make us progress in His goodness.

The Lenten season is about to begin in 10 days. It is time to love God, to do good and to pray to God, as we  prepare ourselves for His grace. While we wait for the Lenten message from the Holy Father for the year 2020, I would like to share with you what the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD) of Kuala Lumpur has prepared for us this Lent. On Wednesday, 12 February 2020, we invited all BEC Leaders to come for a Lenten Campaign briefing by Gabriel Moses, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chairman. Although only a few turned up for the briefing, it was still a productive session, culminating in the dissemination of Lenten Campaign materials such as guide books, Lenten welfare service envelopes, stickers for kids to save money, etc.

For the past three years (2018-2020) the AOHD set the theme “Caring for Our Common Home” and this year’s sub-theme is – “Stewards Protecting Creation.” We are invited to continue making the effort in caring and preserving our common home through various actions, in order to protect and care for our planet Earth for future generations. We should strive to care for and protect the Earth – Our Home – from all kinds of destruction and the throwaway-culture mentality. We live in a world where everything is seen as “disposable, replaceable or temporary.” We need to be more responsible and more passionate - guarding creation, human beings, land, seas, plants and animals, and nurturing these through our stewardship.

We, as stewards of God’s creation, should be willing to protect and not waste or abuse nature and its resources. This Lent we shall “press on” by making every effort in preserving and caring for our common home as our vocation is solely given by God. It is also a challenge for us to respond to the call of the Holy Father Pope Francis in his Encyclical on “Laudato Si” (meaning “be praised”) that focuses mainly on the environment. Every individual person living on this Earth has a duty “in shaping the future of our Planet,” and “to make the serious commitment to respect and care for creation,” and “to combat the culture of waste and throwing out.”

In our Parish, we have an ongoing recycle project, and we earn approximately RM400-RM500 monthly. We channel this money to the Ministry of the Poor. This Lent, let us all work together as a community to make the effort in reducing, reusing and recycling our waste. If you have recycled waste, it should then be cleaned and separated into our waste recycle bins. Our efforts will go a long way in helping with our outreach to the poor.

GOD'S LAW AIMS AT OUR HEART

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave His followers instructions about life in the kingdom of God. Jesus reveals that God’s law always directed at our hearts and for the respect of our neighbour. Jesus looks to the heart, not just the external behaviour. His law leads His people into true righteousness and true happiness. 

Our anger, making judgments about others, using harmful words and insulting are verbally violate the intention of the law where we kill people’s spirit.  This is certainly that “… if your virtue goes no deeper that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven…,” (Mt 5: 20). 

Jesus fulfills and transforms us so that the Holy Spirit may write the law in our hearts and we may be enabled to keep it for our path to life and happiness. Keeping the Ten Commandments is our way of proving to God that we are grateful, obedient and loyal to him. True and loyal service of God therefore begins in the heart.

“They are happy who follow God’s law.” (Ps 118)

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/