A SPIRITUAL COMMISSION TO WITNESS CHRIST

This weekend, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Universal Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost arrives fifty days after Easter and ten days after the Ascension of the Lord. As we celebrate Pentecost, it is good to once again renew our commitment as disciples of Christ, preaching the good news of Christ to all people, and to witness Jesus who will come again “to judge the living and the dead, and to establish God’s Kingdom.”

On Easter Sunday, we became “Resurrected People” and on Pentecost we will be anointed with the Holy Spirit, to carry out the essential mission of the Church, proclaiming to the world that “Jesus is alive” and that He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” (Jn 14: 6). This mission of the Church has to be carried out without fail, and with great joy and courage. The twelve Apostles carried out the mission of Christ so boldly and strongly after the empowerment of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day and that has become the source of lasting joy and peace to the world. As we participate in the online Pentecost celebration this Sunday, let us be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and receive a spiritual commission to witness Christ in our family, our community, our nation and to the ends of the world.

On Ascension Day, Jesus said that He is going to the Father and He will come again in a new form of closeness and continued presence in us. Pentecost Day is “a gift and a task” for us. It is a GIFT because it is the day that we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, a Paraclete to be our Advocate. It is a TASK because it is a day that we are sent forth to continue the task of the Apostles – evangelising the message of Christ to the world and to bear witness to Him.

During this whole month of May – the Month of Rosary, we have prayed the Rosary either individually or as a family and /or probably via social media. After the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord (21 May 2020) many of our parishioners started a nine-day Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit, praying vigorously along with their Rosary recitation. Some of you would have spent time reading articles and books or listening to videos and audios pertaining to the Holy Spirit. Adding these insights on the Holy Spirit will definitely assist us in having a personal Pentecost experience “to repent, forgive and believe in Jesus.” The promoting of the Holy Spirit - the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, is a “gift of gifts” inspiring us to experience a spiritual transformation and to grow in holiness.

Mass with Myanmar Community
(Photo: 16 April 2017)

This weekend we will continue to sing – “Come Holy Spirit, Creator, Come!” or “Veni Sancte Spiritus.” It is time for us to once again recall the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord (Is 11:2-3) – which we received during the Sacrament of Confirmation. Together with these Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we should take time to reflect on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit – ‘Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Let us get in touch and get to know these Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and how they constantly move us, mould us and reshape our lives.

Let’s be aware of the evil fruit of spirits too – sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalries, quarrels, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and all these things (Gal 5:19-21) – which can sometimes dominate lives. These evil fruits are a natural part of human life as we battle with the acts of the flesh, but it can lead us far away from God and we find ourselves in a state of exhaustion trying to return the Lord. Let us always remember to put forward the fruits of the Holy Spirit and to give life to our own spirit and to remember always “to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with the Lord,” (Micah 6:8).

As we conclude the Month of Rosary and the Novena to the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we pray that she brings strength from the Lord to “Committing Ourselves into New Evangelisation” by embracing the 5Ls (the Lost, Last, Least, Little and Lonely) throughout this year.

GOD WILL POUR FORTH HIS SPIRIT

Photo: Pentecost Vigil Adoration
(2017)

On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostles were energised with the power of the Holy Spirit. On this Pentecost Sunday, the Church promises to pour upon us the Holy Spirit so that we may become faithful witnesses to the world.

God gives us His Spirit to assist us, to empower us and to enable us to continue growing in the life of the Spirit. Today we are sanctified once again with the power of the Holy Spirit to confer rebirth into the life of God and to carry out the mission of the Church to the ends of the earth.

God has given us various Spiritual Gifts which in turn empower us to build the Church, the Body of Christ and to make ourselves effective ministers in the life of the Church. 

As we celebrate the birthday of the Church, let us set ourselves free from the poison of sin – turn the hatred into love, sorrow into joy, and doubt into hope. Let us truly desire to repent, to forgive, to be followers of Christ to live a holy life and to grow, glow and go in the Spirit. 

Ps. Do discover and rediscover the spiritual gifts that you have –  (references: Rom 12, 1 Cor 12, Eph 4, 1 Peter 4)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Amen.

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/a-spiritual-commission-to-witness-christ-1/

Photo: Pentecost Vigil Mass (2017)

REMAINING STRONG IN FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

When the Coronavirus started to spread throughout the world, we never expected our Churches and other houses of worship to be affected to such a degree, where houses of worship were forced to close, and that too, for such a long period of time. It has been a trying time for many of us, having to stay away from Church. However, earlier this week many Churches in Europe started to reopen after three months of lockdown. In Malaysia, the announcement has been made that the houses of worship will be reopened gradually, depending on the situation of the respective zones.

Church Cleaning Team (Photo: 14 March 2020)

When the government announced that mosques and suraus in the green zone areas would reopen starting Friday, 15 May 2020, the non-Muslims were expecting their houses of worship to reopen too. On Monday, 18 May 2020, the representatives of Spiritual Leaders of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) met with the Ministry of National Unity (Kementerian Perpaduan) to discuss the reopening of their respective houses of worship. MCCBCHST submitted their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for their religious gatherings, after which it was officially announced that the Non-Muslim houses of worship would reopen under the strict SOP in green zone areas, with a maximum of 30 persons only in attendance for each session, starting 10 June 2020, after the completion of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) Phase 5.

A few of our Parishioners have already sent text messages enquiring about the reopening of our Church. Of course, many of our Parishioners are eager to find out who will be selected to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Church reopens on 10 June 2020. Unfortunately, our Parish of St Joseph, Sentul is not eligible to reopen so soon. Among the 16 yellow zone districts in Kuala Lumpur, Sentul has the highest number of COVID-19 cases, with a total of 8 cases reported thus far. There is always a possibility that Sentul District might escalate into a red zone area. Even if the number of cases drop, and Sentul is categorised as a green zone, I am not prepared to reopen our Church so soon. Right now, I have managed to postpone all weddings which were supposed to have taken place between April and August 2020, to September onwards. Some couples have even agreed to postpone their wedding to next year.

Parish Family Day: (November 2019)

After studying the SOPs and the guidelines for the celebration of Sacraments under the CMCO, I personally find that it is not easy for our Parishioners to strictly adhere to these. It is good for us to wait patiently in prayer before reopening our Church for the Eucharistic celebration and other sacraments as well. In the meantime, we will set up a new committee – Parish Response Team (PRT), which will study the SOP before implementing the same. We need more time to study the SOP and adequately train our PRT to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone. 

Since the first phase of the MCO (18 March 2020), I observed that our Parishioners have been quite comfortable participating in online Masses and obtaining other spiritual resources, videos or audios from various forms of media. I realise that many spend more time listening, viewing, praying and sharing spiritual insights as compared to before the MCO. I strongly encourage you to continue to spend more time increasing your knowledge of God through various social media, and deepening your faith, during this difficult time.

We have been hearing and reading about the rising number of infections and deaths throughout the world, in the first two quarters of this year. Initially, we were unprepared and felt disorientated in facing this global crisis. We have experienced the peak and now the curve is gradually going down in terms of the number of infections and deaths. However, many are still bracing themselves as they predict a second wave, but I believe that we are now more informed and prepared to undertake this new norm and way of life. We are aware of how to protect ourselves from getting infected. Above all, let us remember, in the midst of this pandemic - which affects everyone, irrespective of race or religion – to keep ourselves close to God with sincere prayer and to remain strong in faith, hope and love. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love and self-control,” (2 Tim 1:7).

Stay Safe, Continue Trusting in the Lord and Keep the Faith.

GLORIFY GOD IN ALL THINGS

When all the apostles were present, Jesus prayed as follows,  “Father, the hour has come: Glorify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify You,” (John 17:1-2). 

This priestly prayer was prayed by Jesus just before His death.

Jesus asked the Father for courage and strength to persevere and endure the suffering He was about to face, so as to glorify God. 

We too need courage and strength to get through trials and tribulation, especially so, during this trying time. 

When we face difficult times, through prayers and our efforts,  we can accomplish the challenging tasks.

As we prepare for Pentecost next Sunday (31/5), may the outpouring of the Holy Spirit empower us in all our weaknesses and rekindle our hearts with love and peace. 

This Sunday is World Communication Day. We pray the Lord fills us with His Holy Spirit so that we can proclaim the Good News courageously to the whole world.

https://www.stjosephsentul.org/remaining-strong-in-faith-hope-and-love13/

CONNECTED AS A CHURCH IN ONE DIRECTION

The 21st century is seeing modern technology becoming the new way of life for many sectors, including the Church. Many churches throughout the world utilise various forms of social media platforms to stay connected with their parishioners and community due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Malaysia, although we have been physically separated from the Church since 14 March 2020, we truly appreciate and are grateful for the availability of social media in order to receive up-to-date information that can be shared with others instantly.

Since being physically separated from the Church, our Parish’s Catechetical Ministry has met with their respective students through video conferencing, as a way to teach catechism. They have adapted their teaching strategies, syllabus and activities for online lessons, and every Sunday teachers spend an hour with their students, sharing their knowledge of faith with them. Besides their catechism text books, some teachers have also utilised lessons prepared by the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Catechetical team.

I really appreciate our Catechetical team for making the effort to stay connected with our students, sharing their knowledge of God. I admire their great diligence and commitment in preparing and presenting their weekend lessons to the students. I would like to thank them for playing their role as devoted teachers and being effective in reaching out to students through the various platforms. I hope once we come back to Church, we may be able to continue lessons with our students and complete the syllabus before the year ends.

Our Parish Youth Ministry is also connected to each other through social media. They share their experiences, knowledge, activities and post updates about their lives via social media to build their relationships and friendship. I know that many of you are busy with college assignments, personal responsibilities, working from home and other activities, but I urge you not to neglect your relationship with your Church friends. I also hope that you take special interest in being spiritually in communion with the Church through online Mass especially the weekend Mass to pray together as a family. Just remember that there is no social distancing when it comes to Church and God. There are so many ways to obtain information and good news about the Church, through the internet, for your personal spiritual growth. I strongly urge you and your chat groups to pray the Rosary as a group or as individuals during this second half of the month of Rosary. My best wishes to you, as you stay connected with one another to keep your faith growing and glowing in the Spirit, and to make Christ and His Church alive in you during this time.

Our Parish Ministry of the Poor (MOP) under the Parish Integral Human Development (PIHD) organisation, has been continuously reaching out to the poor and the needy. On Saturdays, they go out to distribute provision of groceries and other essential items to the poor around our vicinity. I am proud and amazed at their hard work, concern and care for our adoptees and poor families. Other Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) are taking their own initiative in reaching out to the needy in their respective areas. However, it would be good for BECs to communicate and work together with the MOP team, as we move ahead as a Church in one direction.

There are other ministries, BECs and individuals too who gather through social media praying the Rosary, sharing their experiences and faith with one another. I too make an effort by sending Morning and Evening Prayers (the Church Prayer) and daily intention for Rosary related to COVID-19, to the various ministries and individuals, inviting them to join the Church in prayer. It is my way of staying connected with my beloved parishioners and friends.

Of course, social media has its negatives and positives but it is a blessing for us to stay connected with one another. It is a powerful tool for evangelisation, especially when we share our faith with one another by living out the Good News daily.