A Heart Breaking Experience!

Why were these men traveling away from Jerusalem? It is interesting to read this Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 24:13-35) that when Jesus appeared to the two disciples their faces downcast (Lk 24:17) and they were confused, unable to understand all the things that had happened in Jerusalem. Surely, it was because the death of Jesus had deeply disappointed them.

Let’s put ourselves in their shoes as they set out on the seven miles walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. It was a HEART-BREAKING EXPERIENCE for them with the events of Good Friday.

We go through a lot of rough times and tough times in life. We lose a sense of direction and there is no answer to some of our difficulties and struggles. We become unaware of the presence of God in our lives. Then, life loses its meaning.

Human hope is a fragile thing, and when it withers or weakens then it is difficult to revive. Hopelessness of the human spirit is desperately hard to cure. When hopelessness sets in our minds then we need a companion. We need a listening ear before a stream of good advice. The last thing we need is a quick “cheering up”.

“Show us, Lord, the path of life” (Ps 15)

"My Lord and My God!"

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. On this day we see how God’s mercy effect in our lives. Divine Mercy is more than just another devotion. Mercy or compassion is identification of ourselves with the sufferings and difficulties of others which prompts us to an action. Mercy is a gift because we can't demand it but we only can plea for it. Mercy is a way of life to gain the fruit of peace that comes from unity and love of God and our neighbor. Jesus offers us marvelous graces in His Divine Mercy but He also demands of us deeds of mercy, which are to arise our of love for Him.

After having experienced Jesus’ endless mercy, Thomas confesses – “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28), which is the greatest expression of surrendering to the Lord. Divine Mercy Sunday invites us to remember the mercies we have experienced in our lives and this mercy should make us agents of mercy.

Canonisation of Two Popes

The Canonisation of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II - Shepherds, Servants and Saints

One of the most awaited and significant moments in the history of the Catholic Church – the canonisation of two Popes – John Paul II and John XXIII on Sunday’s feast of Divine Mercy (28 April 2014). The root of both Popes’ spirituality precisely highlights God’s kindness and mercy. These two figures are the role models of all Christians particularly for youths.

Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese of Single Adults and Youth Office (ASAYO) has produced a short video clip within 9 minutes in celebration of the Canonisation of these two Popes. Please do feel free to view it with your friends and families during this weekend.

Please find the location of the file to be downloaded.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2eE3ga_zL_BclNXSDFPRnE0aHc/edit?usp=sharing

It also can be viewed on line on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/jLDOBn8apuk

Blessed John Paul II

Born: May 18, 1920 (Wadowice, Poland)
Preceded by: John Paul I
Succeeded by: Benedict XVI
Roman Catholic Pope no: 265
Death Date: April 2, 2005
Education: Jagiellonian University, Krakow seminary
Place of Death: Vatican City, Italy
Pope: 16 October 1978 – 2 April 2005 (27 years)
Beatified: 1 May 2011

Blessed John Paul XXIII
Born: 25 November 1881 (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli)
Born: November 25, 1881 (Rome, Italy)
Preceded by: Pius XII (1939 - 1958)
Succeeded by: Paul VI (1963 - 1978)
Roman Catholic Pope no: 262
Death Date: June 3, 1963
Pope: October 28, 1958 - June 3, 1963 (4 years, 7 months)
Beatified: 3 September 2000

Alleluia! He has Risen

Easter arrives - We enter the tomb with Jesus and rise again to new life. Now, we take on a new lifestyle, leaving sin behind in order to live a new life with Christ. 

Today we can again sing "Halleluiah" that we have not sung all through Lent. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad." The Lord has risen.  He has risen, indeed. Why do we rejoice today? We rejoice because our faith in Christ has been right, and all our preparation during the Lent season has brought newness in us. It is important, however, to be aware that the Resurrection is not simply the revival of the body of Jesus, who died on the Cross. No one SAW the resurrection because there was nothing to SEE. The crucifixion is a historical event; the resurrection is a faith event. We know the resurrection is the most important miracle, event and sign of Jesus’ life. Yet, there is no eyewitnesses account.

We can turn only to “encounters” of those who saw Him in the flesh after His death. We base our faith on the eye witness of those who spoke and ate with Christ during the 40 days of Easter. Their testimony creates our certainty and conviction of our faith. Jesus could be seen only by those who believed in Him. St Paul says that if Jesus has not Risen, all our hope is in vain, we are the most miserable, the most seduced of persons. Without resurrection there is no Christianity.

Glory of the Cross!

Good Friday is a day of solemnity, a day of remembrance, a day of penance and most of all a day of prayer. For on this day we mark the death of Our Lord. It is a day of strangely mixed emotions for us Christians.

This is the cross. This is Good Friday. It is not the ceremony of funeral rites but we celebrate the “Glory of the Cross”. This is salvation. Jesus is died. "Father, into you hands I commend my spirit and it is finished." The Church is in silence. The seed is in the ground and our heart is in silence until it sprouts and breaks through from the tomb. The presence of God in Jesus has disappeared. Nothing is left. It is accomplished.

We can only kneel down and pray: Cross of Jesus, purify me.

Blood of Jesus, cleanse me.

Wounds of Jesus, heal me.

Mercy of Jesus, forgive me.