GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S

(29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 - HOMILY)

We hear in the Gospel (Matt 22: 15-21) today, “Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God.”  Both the Pharisees and the Herodians are trying to ask Jesus’ opinion, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus knew through and through what was in their minds.  Jesus asks for a coin and He questions the Pharisees and Herodians - “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” Once they identify the coin is belonging to Caesar, then, He answers their question saying, “Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.” 

A couple from a foreign land was enquiring with me to be married in St. Joseph Church. They just wanted to do a church wedding without getting married, civilly, for their own personal reasons. Today’s Gospel let me to reflect on their enquiry, on the questions of Pharisees and Herodians, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to the Caesar or not?” The couple’s enquiry was of in the same nature, “Is it permissible to marry in the Church without marrying in the civil registration office?” Then, I explained to the couple.

 

In Malaysia, the National Registration Department (Jababtan Pendaftaran Negara - JPN) had made it compulsory for all non-Muslims couples to be registered under the ACT 1976 (Act 164) in 1 March 1982. It is a requirement and mandate of the JPN. If any Catholic couple desires to get married in the Catholic Church, first and foremost they need to do their Registration of Marriage (ROM), before their Church wedding. If the couple only did the ROM, they are still not married, in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Therefore, after the civil marriage in JPN, the couple will still need to prepare themselves both physically and spiritually for their Church Marriage.

 

Jesus never compromises his integrity and makes a very clear distinction between civil authority and religious authority, and He invites us to fulfil our duties and commitments both to the government and God. Jesus avoids the trap by asserting God’s sovereignty, which must be acknowledged and repaid to God on what belongs to God, and at the same time to hold the human laws legitimately.

 

Society must be governed by the authority to direct their action towards a common good. Paying the government’s tax represents paying back what the government has done in the terms of service. The government and its leaders should rule and direct the society justly according to the law for the well-being of everyone.  Whereas the society has to be obedient and cooperate with the government’s law.

 

Likewise, the people of God should follow the way of God in accordance with the TRUTH from the Scripture. We need to live our lives according to God’s purpose set for us, and not of human’s. Therefore, what we have to repay to the government is to be obedient to the Laws and to pay God what we owe to God. Real living is to give God what belongs to God. We give ourselves to God every moment of our lives. We owe God our very lives. “Give the Lord glory and honour, He is the King and He governs His people in fairness,” (cf. Ps 95).

WHOM SHALL I SEND?

On Sunday, 18 October 2020, the Universal Church celebrates World Mission Sunday (WMS) with the theme – “Here am I, send me!” in response to God’s question - “Whom shall I send?” (Is 6:8). The same question is addressed to us in this time of global crisis, awaiting our generous and convincing response – “Here am I Lord, send me!” God continues to look for those whom He can “send forth into the world, to bear witness to His love, and desire for life and liberation from evil” (cf. Mt 9:35-38; Lk 10:1-12).

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holy Father Pope Francis’ message for WMS highlights that the pandemic has created a lot of suffering, new challenges and has also set a new norm in the way of life for humanity and the Church. In the midst of this difficult time, he wants every Catholic to carry out the mission of Jesus “to witness faith and the proclamation of the Gospel” as God continues to “manifest His love, and touch and transform hearts, societies and cultures in every place and time.” Once again, the Church invites us to be in solidarity with people who are living in conditions where poverty, violence and / or oppression prevail. We, as a Catholic community, are called to meet the spiritual and material needs of people throughout the world, as our mission and evangelisation.

“Jesus is the Father’s Missionary and His life and ministry reveals His total obedience to the Father’s will”(cf. Jn 4:34; 6:38; 8:12-30; Heb 10:5-10). The Holy Father reminds every Catholic about our personal vocation - our mission, our call and our willingness to go forth - which originated from God the Father, who sent His only Son to save humanity. We, as baptised Catholics should “continue the mission of Jesus” to go wherever we are sent, and manifest the love of God and “transform hearts, minds, bodies, societies and cultures in every place and time.”

Photo: 2018

Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or to any place? Before we are ready to respond “Here I am, Lord, send me,” we need to discern our relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and reflect on the response of Mother Mary, as she willingly surrendered herself completely to the service of God’s will – “Let it be done according to your will!”

The world is currently pressuring us “to observe social distancing and to stay at home” but the Church invites us “to rediscover that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God.” During this difficult time, we see a rise in world poverty - many have lost their jobs and income, many are starving and many are depressed. The Church’s mission is very challenging, as no matter what, we should “open to the needs of our brothers and sisters, for dignity and freedom, as well as our responsibility to care for all creation.”

On this celebration of World Mission Sunday, let us reaffirm and reunite ourselves in prayer, reflection and through our kind contributions. We strive to support the missionary work carried out under the Pontifical Mission Societies “to meet spiritual and material needs of peoples and churches throughout the world.” Let’s together, with the intention of the Holy Father, willingly respond God’s call – “Here am I Lord, send me!” (Is 6:8) as we participate in the mission of Jesus on this earth.

(An Extract of Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Sunday 2020)

THE CHOSEN ONE

(28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 - HOMILY)

Today’s Parable is about a royal wedding banquet (MT 22:1-14). Wedding is a happiest and joyous day in the lives of the newly wedding couples.

I had three weddings in the Church of St Joseph – one was on last Thursday (8/10) and the other two were on Saturday (10/10). Initially, I allowed the wedding couples to extend their wedding invitations up to 100 guests in respect to the size of the Church. The couples were quite happy with extension of the numbers. Then, the Chancery announcement which was released on 6 October 2020, particularly on the suspension Masses in Klang Valley Parishes for two weeks until further notice. In that note, we have read the guideline for celebration of Sacraments and events especially for a wedding ceremony which only allow up to 20 guests/attendance.

 

When I informed the couples, they were really disappointed. The couples said that they have already extended the invitation to their guests. They were finding so difficult to inform their guests within a couple of days before the wedding to comply requirement. Finally, with heavy hearts, they conformed and only kept their immediate guest list to the respective the immediate family members. Let’s call them “the chosen ones”.

 

This is like what the Gospel says today, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Chosen means called, elected or accepted. When we say “NO”, to an invitation, it would be an insult, shame and embarrassing. To some extent, it’s not generous of us to do so. God’s heart does not exclude anyone, it’s all inclusive, regardless. God’s grace is what saves us. God has chosen and elected all to be included in the Wedding Banquet. In the heart of God, everyone is invited and everyone is welcomed, only few will be responding to the wedding celebration.

 

Many are called but few are chosen! So what is our response to God’s invitation? God invites every one of us. We are preoccupied with many things in our lives. Often, we are distracted and disinterested with His invitation, especially in this digital world. When we do not pay attention and disregard God’s invitation, then we are no longer chosen to His banquet. If we take every opportunity to answer to His invitation in faith without looking at our worries and anxieties over what ever, then we find fulfilment of God’s plan in our lives.

When we see the scenario on the parable and on the story of three weddings which took place in our Parish during these couple of days. We must understand that the invitation is not determined by our goodness, but God’s abundant grace. God still invites us. God invites us to celebrate life on this earth with gratitude. After this earthly life He invites us to enter into Heaven for a celebration of an eternal banquet. In this shortness of earthly life, we must undergo the ongoing conversion and repentance as we look forward for the eternal banquet with the communion of all Saints.

 

Let’s not disregard and be sluggish in taking every opportunity to respond wholeheartedly and faithfully to His invitation. All we need to do is to accept God’s invitation and wear our wedding robes – cloth ourselves with Christ, and we will definitely get into His Kingdom.

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS, PRAY FOR US!

PERSEVERANCE IN SERVICE, CONSTANT IN PRAYER

The month of October is traditionally dedicated by Catholics as the month of the Rosary. Once again, we are invited to seek the intercession of Our Lady, as we face challenges together, especially with the rise in COVID-19 cases in our country.

On Tuesday, 6 October 2020, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, His Grace Most Reverend Julian Leow, suspended all Public Masses in Catholic Churches located within Kuala Lumpur and the State of Selangor, as a safety measure in order to prevent the risk of transmission of the virus. This temporary suspension will be reviewed before 20 October 2020, and as to whether it will be an extension of the suspension or a retraction, will all depend on the COVID-19 situation in our country, at that time.

 

As we see a record-high rise of new cases, we turn to Our Lady of the Rosary seeking her assistance and intercession to flatten the curve, and to fight against this virus. We desperately need her maternal care and strength. In troubled times like this, Mother Mary is our source of comfort and hope, in both good times and difficult times. She will assist our families and communities, especially during this current pandemic, as she offers hope and comfort to all who need her motherly care and protection.

Being a loving Mother, she responds to those who are sick and dying, bringing comfort and healing from her Son, Jesus Christ. She also offers us courage when we feel frightened during times of trial. When we continuously pray the Rosary, she reassures us that we are not alone and that we will never be alone in this fight against COVID-19. As our Spiritual Mother, she gives perseverance and determination, as she stands close to us, providing protection when we are at great risk.

 

When facing fear, anxiety and uncertainty, we should turn to Mother Mary with faith and hope. During these difficult times, we may sometimes lose patience, and panic easily, but Mother Mary inspires us to stay close to one another spiritually and emotionally, through prayer.

 

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (7 October 2020), at the end of his Wednesday audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that we should “rediscover the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary” in October. He invites us “to pray the Rosary, and to carry it in your hands or in your pockets” as we face the threat that is looming all over the world. 

 

It is a crucial month for us to say the Rosary with family, at least once before we end our day. Surely, Mother Mary will turn her merciful eyes towards us, amid this pandemic. Catholics should make a special request while praying the Rosary, for an end to this pandemic. Let’s be united in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, as we seek Mary’s intercession and assistance during this pandemic, and grow “stronger in faith, persevering in service and constant in prayer.”

HERE I AM, SEND ME!

In light of the new Covid19 clusters that have emerged throughout the country following the return of people to the Peninsular after the Sabah polls, our Parish has decided to put on hold all activities and programs scheduled for October 2020. The recent spike in the number of cases in Peninsular Malaysia is alarming, with the daily toll of new cases breaching the 3-digit mark.

 

Activities that will be put on hold include our Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) meeting, the resumption of in-person Catechism classes which was scheduled to start this weekend (4 October) as well as the ALPHA program. 

 

On 13 September, the Form 5 students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, participated in an online course on the Theology of the Body (TOB). They have also been actively participating in a Spiritual Recollection, theme: “A Call to Translate Faith into Action.” These recollections, conducted in-person by Ms Cheryle Lee over two Sundays thus far (20 and 27 September) have been beneficial to the students, as they journey towards receiving their Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 October 2020 at 2.00 pm. A third session scheduled to be held on 4 October 2020 has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 situation. The Parish has scheduled a Post-Confirmation session, with the theme, “Success and Significance of Life” to be held on the day when we present them with their certificates.

The month of October is also referred to as the month of Rosary and Mission. During this month, Catholics are invited to dedicate ourselves in praying the Rosary and to recommit ourselves on a mission of sharing the Good News of Christ Jesus with those around us. We invite BECs, families and individuals to pray the rosary together or individually. For your information, the weekday morning Mass participants recite the Rosary immediately after Mass at 7.10am, before leaving for home or office, and you are welcome to join this session. All parishioners are encouraged to keep the spirit of praying the Rosary throughout this month, especially for the COVID-19 pandemic to end. If everything goes well and as planned, we will have a Thanksgiving Mass on 31 October to honour of the Month of Rosary.

This year, World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on 18 October 2020. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has chosen a theme in response to God’s question, “Whom Shall I Send” and expects us to respond with a generous and convincing heart: “Here am I, send me,” (Is 6: 8). Starting this month, we invite our children to participate in the works of mission – “Children Helping Children” by creating a special collection box at home. We encourage them to start saving their daily pocket money, to help poor children who are in need of help. The boxes may be returned to the Church during the Christmas season or on the Feast of the Solemnity of Epiphany 2021. Last year we collected approximately RM2500 from our children. We encourage all the children in our Parish to fully participate in this act of kindness and generosity.

 

Just to remind you once again, our Parish’s vision theme for the years 1998-2020 is Committing Ourselves into New Evangelisation, and the mission theme for this year is Embracing the 5Ls (Last, Lost, Least, Little and Lonely). Since the start of the MCO, we have not done much, however as missionary disciples of Christ, we must somehow strive to carry out our mission with zeal, in any little way possible.

 

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who was a missionary disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, will continue to pray for us as we fully commit ourselves in the work of mission in our home and work place. We also pray to St Theresa of Lisieux - who is a Patroness of all Missionaries and whose feast day we celebrated on 1 October 2020 – that she will intercede for our mission works throughout this month. Let us respond with a generous and convincing heart to the message of Christ in words and actions, “Here I am, Lord, send me!”