We Must Devote Ourselves to Christ!

Today, we are celebrating Epiphany Sunday. The word “wise men” is actually “Magi” from which we get our English word “magician”. But they were not magicians. The word “Magi” in those days referred to those who were experts in the workings of the things in heavens, and the study of the stars.

What truly makes them wise men?

These three wise men made a decision to find out “The King of the Jews”. This decision was based on their studies, and the information that they had available to them - Stars, Science  and Scripture.

You and I have much more information in these present days than these wise men did. We have the word of God. The scripture is readily available to us. It is preached and taught but have we been wise enough today to decide to come to Christ.

We must devote ourselves to Christ. We must worship Christ. We must give ourselves to Christ.

The Use of the Word "Allah"

Dr Mahathir said we, Christians are irritating ("menyakiti hati pihak lain") the others over the using of "Allah".

Jais has raided the Bible Society of Malaysia and carted away 300 copies of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban this afternoon.

Umno veterans have asked our senior priest to convert to Islam if he insists on using “Allah”.

A coalition of Malay-Muslim groups announced today to have a rally at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang this Sunday morning over the insistence of Christians in the state to use the word ‘Allah’. 

1. We have failed with the system of democracy, liberalism and pluralism in Malaysia.

2. The Muslims are not ready to dialogue without any prejudice with the Non-Muslims in Malaysia.

3. Whatever the laws and articles have stated, in reality they do not provide peace, unity and freedom of religion in this country.

4. Who is exhibiting signs of intolerance and violence now?

NEW COMMITMENTS FOR THE NEW YEAR 2014

I wonder how we will make a radical difference in this year 2014? Will we make any better use of our time? When this year is over, we shall have next 362 days. Will we be looking at the future with anticipation, or with fear?

Let's learn to use the 8,760 hours of the year 2014 in the wisest way we can for us and for the greater glory of God.

Here I want to suggest how we can make a happier New Year by keeping close the seven simple attitudes in our lives:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Appreciate what you have.

4. Give to the poor by reaching out to at least 5 families.

5. Expect less from people but give more from yourself.

6. Recognise the value of time.

7. Love God deeply and love your neighbor as yourself.

Prayer for the New Year:

“Lord, help us to understand Your will and Your Word. Help us to prosper in our walk with You and our work for You. Grant us Your power to endure the difficulties and still enjoy the journey.” (Cf. Colossians 1: 1-12).

Mary, Mother of God, grant us your maternal care.

Family as a "Domestic Church"

The last Sunday of the calendar year is a wonderful time to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. It’s a time to reflect on the year just about to an end – on our successes and failures, our times of joy and sadness in our families – and then look ahead with hope and expectation in the coming year.

When we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we also celebrate our own families. Our families are not perfect. Honestly speaking, most families are a little messy. The purpose of this feast is to show the importance and sacredness of the family as the basic unit of Church life. On this feast of the Holy Family, the Church invites us, to make our natural families into more loving homes.

 

Late Pope John Paul II on his in the encyclical "Familiaris Consortio" (Family Life) describes the family as a “domestic church,” the foundational Church where holiness is awakened, nurtured and lived out. 

The Second Vatican Council elevates the family as a center of faith and mission, a witness to the message of Christ and an agent of transformation. 

The family, therefore, is a living reality that is called to be a vessel of peace, defender and herald of the Word, temple of the Spirit, and a steward of God’s love.

Family life is a full time job. Home is where we feel to talk about our tensions, troubles and difficulties. Let us renew our commitment to our God-given duties as spouses, children and parents. 

We pray that God will strengthen the bonds of love in our families. Let us also remember to pray for the families are in serious problems so that the Lord will guide them and help them their problems in a Christian way of life and to value and promote the sanctity of the family.

I would like to highlight few questions from the “YouCat” for you to ponder over them or to read before the year end:

# 368. What place does the family have in God’s plan of creation?

# 369. Why are families irreplaceable?

# 370. Why should the State protect and promote families?

# 371. How does a child respect his/her parents?

# 372. How do parents respect their children?

# 373. How should a family live its faith together?

# 374. Why is God more important than the family?

Let's Make Everyday Just Like Christmas!

Giving gifts is an important part of our celebration of Christmas. Christmas could be said to be the season of gifts. Gifts are a way of telling others that we love them. 

Christmas was originated by a gift. It was God who started it all: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." (Jn 3:16)

Don’t lose God this Christmas. Don’t forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and greetings. Don’t forget about Jesus in all your parties and celebrations. Don’t let God's only begotten Son become His only forgotten Son this Christmas. Find those quiet moments in quiet places where you can think about Him, speak to Him and draw near to Him.

"Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17). Let us say, ‘Thank you Jesus for Christmas, You are the best gift anyone could ever receive.

Let’s make everyday just like Christmas! 

Our hearts are full of many gifts that we can give – "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control," (Gal 5:22-23).

MERRY CHRISTMAS
          AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR