PATIENCE – A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Since the beginning of the Lenten season this year, I started watching short video clips from “FORMED: Lenten Reflection”. The Augustine Institute Studios has produced a series of daily reflections on Lent (each approximately 2 - 4 minutes long) on Christian Catholic spirituality. There are many materials available with Catholic content and perspective, such as video-based study programs, audio presentations, movies and eBooks. Do subscribe to “formed.org” and enter parish code: JG2JDZ

On Day 13 of Lent, there was a short video clip by Dr. Tim Gray, President of Augustine Institute on a remarkable virtue – patience. He referred to “patient endurance”, referring to the Book of Revelation chapters 2 & 3 – “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial...”(Rev 3:10). In the Jerusalem Bible, the author used the word – “perseverance” instead. Endurance and perseverance are translated as “patience”. As we go through trials, we are called to be patient and to persevere.Dr. Gray highlighted two questions pertaining to patience from his discussion.

i) What do we mean by patience?

ii) How can we grow in patience?

Lent is a great opportunity to reflect on and practice the virtue of patience. Like many virtues, patience is a hard one to practice. For good and lasting relationships, we need patience. Whether it is with our children, our spouse, our parish community, our colleagues in the workplace, or our neighbours. We need patience in dealing with people – “Be patient with everyone,” (1 Thes 5:14).

It is easy to say but it is tough to do as we are not a patient people. We get impatient when things go wrong. We get impatient when we are running out of time. We get impatient when there is no instant gratification. We live in a world where everything needs to happen immediately. We sometimes get impatient for what seems like no reason at all!

Patience is in our mind set - our way of thinking and feeling. We tend to get irritated or easily angered by those who always disrupt our plans. The Bible tells us that patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). It starts as a little seed and it takes time to grow and mature. We should cherish this fruit of the Holy Spirit, which God has given to us. Patience is the ability to remain calm in the midst of trials and tribulations because weknow God is in control.

Patience is a Christian virtue. The heart of patience is love… “Love is patient, love is kind…” (1 Cor 13). Patience is an act of love. We can learn to be patient when we trust in the power, strength and encouragement, which comes from God. On our own, we may find it tough to be patient, but with Christ all things are possible.

Is patience a strong quality and virtue in our lives? Christians are called to be patient. We should not grumble about another or have grudges or complain about others. It is not part of our nature. Are you a patient person? We will never become patient over night. We need to be patient with ourselves. Lent is not so much a diet plan, but the Church is asking us to exercise patience in our way. Let’s watch what we say and how we say it. We should restrain our anger and irritation. Instead, we should deal with others with the same patience and compassion that God has shown to us.

In this season of Lent, we should learn and act on what God says about patience, and trust God to give us the grace to be patient. Be patient with ourselves and with others as how God has always been with us! Trust in God and let Him be in our lives during this season of Lent.

ENDLESS MERCY OF GOD

On third Sunday of Lent, the parable speaks that a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard did not bear figs when expected. The fig tree’s owner ordered to cut it down. Yet, the owner gave “one more chance” for the tree to bear fruit. (Luke 13: 6-9). 

A tree without fruits is just consuming the space. If we are not producing then we are only consuming. The quantity of the trees doesn’t matter but its quality and productivity.

We are already condemned by the virtue of the sin. We are convicted sinners. God is disappointed with us. He finds no fruits of repentance, yet He is patient with us.

What habits are making us fruitful and barren? What sinful practices are hurting our spirit and faith?

Repentance is a transformation. Repentance is a change of both mind and will, of both disposition and habits. God demands a turning from evil and a total obedience and repentance. Those who do not repent will not enter into His kingdom. We pray for the grace to live our second chances faithfully.

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

CALLED BY NAME TO COMMIT TO GOD

On the first Sunday of Lent, during the Sunset Mass (9 March 2019), we had a Rite of Sending for three of our catechumens. They were presented by their sponsors for enrolment in the Book of Elect. Before that, they were questioned about their preparations for the upcoming Easter Baptism. The Parish community and the sponsors gave their affirmation on the catechumen’s faithfulness in listening and responding to God’s Word. Then, they were called by name to sign the Book of Elect as a commitment of their readiness to receive the Easter sacraments.

The following day, Sunday, 10 March 2019, the three catechumens were sent to the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang, to take part in the Rite of Election, accompanied by our Parish RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) team. They gathered around Archbishop Julian Leow, along with 572 other catechumens from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Each RCIA coordinator from the various parishes in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied with their respective priests, came forward to present the Book of the Elect to the Archbishop. Now, the catechumens are called “the Elect”.

As the Elect make their final journey towards Easter, they have three more rites – also known as scrutinies – to fulfill. The Elect need to be uncovered and healed before they make the baptismal promises. During the First Scrutiny (3rdSunday of Lent) there is the Presentation of the Creed and on the Third Scrutiny (5th Sunday of Lent) the Elect will be presented the Lord’s Prayer. Whereas, on the Second Scrutiny (4thSunday of Lent) the Elect resolve and hold fast to Christ Jesus and promise to love God above all. These final rites of scrutinies and exorcism are celebrated in order “to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ” (RCIA #141). We engage the elect on a spiritual level, which in turn opens them up to the grace of God, who is at work in their lives, transforming them into the Body of Christ.

In our Parish, we have total of 9 candidates who are going through the RCIA programme for the 2018/2019 session. Out of 9 candidates, six them are preparing for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. They will most likely be confirmed with our Form Five Catechism students in June 2019. 

It is sad to see the number of candidates for the RCIA program dwindling in our parish. As parishioners, we hardly make the effort to introduce new faces into RCIA. Many of the candidates who have already received the Sacrament of Initiation in past years have not been regular for Sunday Mass attendees. They went through the RCIA program but kept a distance from our parish and Mass, after that. 

The PMEIA (Parish Ministry of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affair) together with the RCIA team, are planning to invite the recently baptised RCIA candidates for fellowship, interaction and dialogue, and we, as a parish community, wish to welcome them whole-heartedly.

Once again I just want to remind you about our parish’s vision for the years 2018-2020, which is “Committing Ourselves into New Evangelisation” and our mission for the year 2019 is to engage in dialogue and make friends with people of other faiths. This year, during the Extraordinary Mission Month of October, we should make a serious commitment in evangelising and bringing across the message of Christ into the lives of those whom we meet every day. The next RCIA session for the 2019/2020 will begin after Pentecost. It is our individual and parish responsibility to invite more friends to join the RCIA program. God bless!

MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCES

The word “transfiguration” means transformation or conversion. It means that a big change takes place. “Why do I always have to change?”

Have you ever had a “Mountain Top” Experience? Mountain top experiences are those moments in our lives when we feel God’s presence in a glorious. Those moments are precious to us and are unforgettable. We don’t experience every day.

Peter, James and John had a “mountain top” experience. Jesus revealed to them His glory – “dazzling white” light in His face and clothing.  (Lk 9: 28-36).

We need to visit “the mountaintop” to see God’s glory. But we need to leave “the mountaintop” and serve the people. We can’t stay there, we must return to the valley in service to people who need us. Life is not lived on the mountaintop, but in the valley. Let’s not just love with words but with actions.

Lent is a time of concentrating on our need for Christ to shed his light into our areas of darkness. By loving those who don't love us, we reveal the light of Christ to those who live in darkness.

“The Lord is My Light and My Salvation.” (Ps 27).

THE CHALLENGE OF THIS SEASON IS TO COMMIT

The crowd was overwhelming for the observation of Ash Wednesday, despite being a work day and the weather being unpleasant, especially during the 8pm Mass. So why not make the same commitment to participate in daily Mass (in addition to Sunday Mass) to receive the Holy Eucharist during the season of Lent? It is good to long, yearn, hunger and thirst for Jesus, our Bread of Life.

Lent is a very important season, and as St Paul says “Now, is the favourable time” and “a time of grace”, (2 Cor 5:20-6:2)a time of preparation for the greatest feast - Easter. Take the initiative to re-evaluate our lives over the course of the next 40 days. We have received ashes on our foreheads, not just to look Catholic, but to remind us that we are sinful and that we need Jesus to save us from sin. It is a sign acknowledging that we need a change. The ashes are an external sign but we must have the willingness to confess our sins, amend our lives and commit ourselves to not sin again. This moment is a moment of decision not to harden our hearts but listen the voice of the Lord.

When I woke up for morning Mass on Ash Wednesday, I was wondering what the one thing I could share with my congregation during the homily. I know all of us (if not most of us) are doing well in our spiritual lives. We do most of the devotional prayers and participate in the weekday and weekend Masses. However, is there any other opportunity to bring our spirituality to greater heights over the next few weeks? We should find a way to exhibit our faith and our discipleship by using these Lenten Observances – almsgiving, prayer and fasting(during his homily, Msgr James recommended the three pillars of Lenten observance should be in this order - almsgiving, prayer and fasting).

By using this walking staff on our Lenten journey, we will arrive at Easter with renewed holiness. Almsgiving converts our mind and heart by sacrificing our selfish attachments for the sake of our fellow brothers and sisters, which is utmost important. Doing good to others is a spiritual discipline that purifies us, increases our love and overcomes our selfishness without anyone getting hurt.Praying converts our hearts by sacrificing our selfish use of time for the love of Christ. Fasting converts our mind and heart, body and spirit by sacrificing our selfish pleasures and enjoyments for the strengthening of our spiritual maturity. So the challenge of this season is to commit ourselves to grow in knowledge of God, in serving, in giving hope to others and disciplining ourselves in words and deeds.

When we travel on the road, we may encounter a few humps and bumps along the way. It is same with our life journey – we will face rough and tough times ahead. This reminds me of these songs lyrics, “It is a long road to freedom, a winding steep and high, but when you walk in love with the wind on your wings and cover the earth with the songs you sing, the miles fly by.” So no matter how winding the roads are, no matter the distractions, mistakes and sins we encounter in this journey, firmly gaze at Jesus and be determined in all things that we do. 

Let us have the spirit and courage to live this season of Lent faithfully and willingly, to enhance our spiritual life and build an intimate relationship with Jesus and with one another. Be glad in this season of Lent, which is a blessing for us, as we pursue the greater good. We shall die to sin and rise to new life!