LIVING OUT THE WORD OF GOD DAILY

3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (homily)

It is almost coming to a year that I have not preached or proclaimed the Word of God from the pulpit during Mass. To prepare and even to deliver a homily, to date, it is not an easy task for me. It still creates some tension and pressure to prepare for it. After that, the stress will just leave and replaced by immense relief and peace of mind. A little hush hush, it is more difficult especially when it comes to the themes on repentance and forgiveness.  However, since it is a part of my priestly ministry, I always prepare a little bit further by spending more time in prayer. It’s always then that God always stretches His hand out to me and gives me the strength, to proclaim His Words, faithfully.

This Sunday’s Gospel speaks about Jesus, beginning His public ministry. He went to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel, inviting people to repent and believe in the Gospel. Repentance is not just about being feeling sorry, regret, shame, penitence or remorse, but it  is also about accepting or responding to the Word of God, ponder them in our hearts and act on conversations that we have with God. When we faithfully accept these Word of God, it opens and patiently transforms our hearts and, in His time, changes our outlook. It constantly renew our commitments in our words, thoughts and actions in our lives.

We celebrate the annual observance of the 3^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as “Sunday of the Word of God,” a Sunday that we focus our hearts and minds in reading and studying, reflecting and putting into practice the Word of God in our daily lives. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter, “Aperuit Illis”, no.2, suggests  to us, “a day devoted to the Bible should not be as a yearly event but rather a year-long event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scripture and of the Risen Lord…” who reveals His Mystery of Salvation in His words, sacraments and all events in our lives. 

When we turn away from sinning, then the way we think about God and the way of our lives will fall naturally in a right way, in the correct way, i.e. towards God. The Word of God has the power to change our minds and save us from destruction, as the Word of God truly let us know God, our Father, better. The coming of Christ is at hand, we pray that the Holy Spirit continue to empower us to live the life of Jesus and to carry out His mission to the world.

RESPONDING TO GOD’S INVITATION

Some years ago, I did my hearing tested because my collegemates commented that I was a lot of the times, tone deaf. I thought I was losing my hearing. In that test, I had to sit in a closed up sound proof room, and I was requested to put on an available set of headphones. A sound/beep with different frequencies were sent through the headphones. What I needed to do was to press a button when I don’t hear any sound through the headphones. That will eventually plot out a range of sound my ears could hear. After the test, the audiologist said that my hearing was within the normal range expected, and I should not be concern. I only need to practice on my singing.

The first reading (1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19), speaks about HEARING to the voice of God in our hearts and listening to the will of God. Samuel was with Eli, studying about God. One night, he heard a voice, three times and he wasn’t sure if it was Eli’s voice or God’s voice. He was so curious about the voice, and left quickly to go and consult Eli. Eli, being an instrument of God, helped Samuel to recognise the voice and he responded confidently to the voice - “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening!”

 

Many of us find it so difficult to discern and perceive the voice of God in our hearts and what He is asking us to do. In today’s Gospel (Jn 1:35-42), Jesus asked the two disciples - “What are you looking for?” Andrew and John came and saw Jesus and there they found their vocation as His disciples. In that respect, Jesus is also asking every one of us, “what are you looking for” in our lives, today. What is our response to that call? What is that burning desire of God that is firing up in the depths of our hearts? Now, if we are searching for happiness and fulfilment in our lives, AND if that adventure includes Jesus in it; we will be taken on a very promising, fulfilling and exciting earthly life journey, whilst fulfilling God’s vocation and mission.

 

Jesus invites us, as how he invited Andrew and John “to come and see!” Every day, when we pray and read the Word of God, we are actually entering the Lord’s sanctuary and there He speaks and reach out into our souls. There, we will see and experience the true meaning of our lives, the true purpose(s) on our temporal existence on this earth. The Word of God speaks to us, over and over again. Each time we hear it, we will either understand them differently, or it confirms what we have already understood all the while, or we were just plain hearing and not listening.

 

Therefore, are we able to filter through today’s modern and digitized, fast paced world, to identify God’s voice in our hearts? Have we come into a state of silence in the mind, calmness and peacefulness in the heart, to enter a space only you (I) and Jesus are present, and NO one else. In that state of discernment, not only our hearing senses are used, but all the senses that God has graciously bestowed us. So, let us not look for or search for material or earthly pleasure in lives. As we commit ourselves in the Mission of Christ, let us willingly say this beautiful prayer every moment of our lives - “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!”

COMPASSION DURING ADVERSITY

The Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD), Archdiocesan Orang Asli Apostolate (AOAA) and Parish Integral Human Development Ministries (PIHDM) of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul as well as the PIDHM from various Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, would like to express our gratitude to all Parishioners and individuals for their solidarity with flood-affected families, particularly in the state of Pahang.

We have shown our care, support and concern for these flood victims by reaching out to them with much-needed aid. Despite the spike in numbers of COVID-19 infections in the Klang Valley, volunteers came from our neighbouring parishes (Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya) to join hands and hearts for the flood relief project organised by the AOHD AOAA. St Joseph’s Church was the Operations Centre for collection and distribution of items to the flood victims. Another group of Parishioners initiated an Operations Centre in Kuantan and the AOHD purchased the necessary supplies online, and delegated this group to distribute the items in the East Coast. The project has been very effective and efficient, as it reached out to many affected people and families, especially the Orang Asli community.

We started the project for the flood victims on 8 January 2021. The project was meant to last 10 days, but had to be cut short to only 5 days because of the announcement of the Movement Controlled Order (MCO) in certain states from 13-26 January 2021. Without much delay, our volunteers spent extra hours to sort out and transport the supplies to Pahang, before the MCO took effect. We packed the supplies (groceries, dried packaged and canned foods, toiletries, mineral water, washed and ironed clothes, cleaning supplies and other basic necessities) worth approximately RM120 into each plastic tub instead of boxes, so that the tubs could be reused to store water or dry food. We managed to send all the items by trucks to flood-victims in Mentakab and Kuala Rompin. We had a few reliable Orang Asli kampung leaders to assist us in distributing the goods in Kuala Rompin.

Within a short period of time, many kind-hearted people came forward to provide the necessary to help families that were affected by the floods. Our help towards these people in remote kampungs would have eased their burdens in some little way. Since the MCO started, we have stopped receiving goods for this flood relief project. However, we seem to still be receiving donations of supplies from parishioners within the Archdiocese. These items will be stored for now, but once the MCO is lifted, we will transport them to the respective affected areas.

Our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all volunteers, donors and PIHDMs from various parishes in the KL Archdiocese, as well as individuals for coming forward and reaching out to assist these flood victims. We appreciate your kindness, support, and generosity in supporting this worthy cause.

During this Year of St Joseph, we are so blessed and privileged to be the Operation Centre for the flood sites. On behalf of AOHD, AOAM and PIHDM of St Joseph’s Church, I would like to thank all of you for the marvellous outpouring of help, especially your willingness and compassion to reach out to those most in need, even in this time of pandemic. Everyone involved has played a crucial part. We also thank Archbishop Julian Leow for his assistance and moral support. We believe the prayer of St Joseph has brought success to the works of our hands at this much-needed time.

When we prepare infants for their Baptism, the Church invites parents and godparents to be present and participate in the Infant Baptism Instruction, first. In the instruction, the Church reminds parents and godparents of their responsibilities in awakening their children’s faith and educating, guiding and teaching them how to love our Christ and to believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (also known as the four marks of our Church). The Church expects them to journey with their children and godchildren till they reach their age of reasons.

I remembered, in one of the instances, these parents have shared with me how their child’s godparents have left their Catholic faith. They were asking permission to have new godparents of their children. Without going into the details of the outcome of that instance, let us reflect on how this came out.

Often parents choose godparents for their children among their closest friends, immediate relatives and so on without looking (to some extent, evaluate) at their faith and their lives.  Sometimes, it is because they promised their friends or families this special and permanent role, as a way to strengthen their current relationship/friendships, or to extent, it is to appreciate each other so much, that they are “bestowed” that role in their children’s lives.  Is this enough?  Should we not reflect further than these justification in godparent selection? Answer is, YES, we should. What is also mind shattering is that, in some other instances, parents presented their children for the Sacrament of Baptism, just for the sake of ritual that everyone does that as a Christian. Should we reflect on that?  YES, we should, as well.

 

The Church always reminds us of the role of the parents and godparents to give these beautiful kids, a Christian upbringing of faith until they become adult life. Frankly, even when we are already adults, we are still babies in the eyes of our parents. So, parenting, and godparenting, is a lifelong role and responsibility. We must always remember that. To help these parents and godparents, our Parish community must set good examples in passing on their faith and being witnesses of Christ in their own Christian living. This is to create that Christian environment (soil) for our children (plants) to grow up/older beautifully. As parents and godparents participate in the life of the Church, the faith of the little children too will grow in maturity.

 

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Firstly, this brings to an end the season of Christmas. Secondly, Jesus began His public life after being baptised at the Jordan River. Therefore, when a child receives the Sacrament of Baptism, he or she enters into the life of the Church and receives a call to a personal vocation. This Sacrament is the gateway for us to enter into the Church community and become members of the family of God - the Body of Christ. Therefore, we begin our faith journey and our relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

 

Today, the Church invites us to renew our own baptismal commitments by renouncing our sins and profess our faith in Jesus Christ and His Church so that we may be renewed as followers of Christ in holiness and in ministry.  We leave behind all the works of satan and all his empty promises and strive to live our personal vocation - to live a life of Holiness. Parents and godparents must play that very important role to live their faith in more responsible ways. Parents and godparents, must not forget their duties to pray for their children and godchildren every day. This is indeed a special way of how you protect them. So, remember to include them in your daily prayers.

 

When Jesus began His public ministry after His baptism, He started His mission here on earth faithfully, just to fulfil the Will of His and our beloved Father. He is showing us that we too can emulate the same, but carrying out our personal vocations and missions God has planned for each one of us. One thing in common, is that we need to bring the message of Christ to the whole world, to our neighbours, community, our family members, our friends, our work colleagues etc.  Be that instrument for God, and let God do the rest, through the Holy Spirit.

 

Therefore, we must follow the life of Jesus as we carry out His mission on earth because our Father will say to you what He said to Jesus Christ, “You are my beloved sons and daughters, in whom I am well pleased.”

CHARITABLE WORKS OF MERCY

Every year between the months of October and February, monsoon rains affect Peninsular Malaysia, especially in the East Coast. During these months, the weather is usually quite bad, causing floods and rough seas. This year, thousands of people in many towns and villages in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Johor have been affected by these recent floods. 

With the collaboration of the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development, (AOHD), Archdiocesan Orang Asli Apostolate (AOAA) and Parish Integral of Human Development Ministries (PIDHM) of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul, plus a few Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, we have endeavoured to work together to assist these flood victims. St Joseph’s Church, Sentul will be the Operations Centre for collection and distribution of items to the flood victims. To begin with, we will concentrate in Pahang - in particular a few kampungs in Sg Lembing, Muadzam Shah, Rompin, Pekan and Mentakab. There are lot of orang asli residents in these areas.

 

Our Parish PIHDM and Parishioners will work together to collect and pack goods and other necessary items for the flood victims before transporting them to the respective areas. We will collect items such as dried packaged and canned foods, mineral water, washed and ironed clothes, masks and sanitisers, medical aid, plus other basic necessities as well as monetary donations. We also expect the PIHDMs from other parishes to collect the above goods and items and forward these to St Joseph’s Church as soon as possible.

 

Starting this weekend, we invite the Parishioners of St Joseph’s to gradually forward the above-mentioned items to the Church. We will use our Parish Hall (Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas) as the Operations Centre. Due to the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Klang Valley, we will have duty rosters in place to coordinate the collection and sorting of items.

 

As we celebrate the Year of St Joseph, it is good and timely that our Parish plays an active role in this outreach to help the flood victims. It is our responsibility as a community, to care for and provide basic necessities for individuals in need. We can alleviate the burden of our fellow Malaysians by reaching out to them through works of charity and mercy.

 

St. Joseph’s PIDHM, has been reaching out to the underprivileged in the vicinity of Sentul during this pandemic. We have been distributing groceries and provisions to them once a month. In addition to that, for the past three months we have been supplying packed lunches to 350-500 individuals. In the month of December 2020, we provided school uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery and some cash to 250 underprivileged school children. Without fail, the St Joseph’s Church PIHDM has reached out to the under privileged families, especially during the MCO and CMCO.

 

As Parishioners, let’s take the initiative to do our part in reaching out to those most in need. I am optimistic that many will contribute towards this charitable work, by donating the items needed to assist flood victims in the East Coast.