UNDERSTANDING OUR CHRISTIAN HISTORY

On Wednesday, 10 August 2022, we had our Parish’s monthly BECCOT meeting. After the Vespers (Evening Prayer), we divided into groups - to share and discuss the BEC reflection paper. The topic for August’s BEC reflection paper was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which falls on 15 August. What caught my attention was a statement from St Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem (422–458) and the first Patriarch of Jerusalem, who told the Emperor that “Mary died in the presence of all the apostles, but that the tomb, when opened upon the request of St Thomas was found empty; the apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven.” 

I wondered why St Thomas our Patron Saint, had the privilege of witnessing the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. Ms Anna Thong, a parishioner sent two articles on St Thomas and his witness of Mary’s empty tomb entitled, “Assumption: The Virgin Mary’s Parting Gift to Saint Thomas.” Through the internet, I came across another article entitled “The Passing of Blessed Virgin Mary” or “De Transitu Virginis” which was written in the fifth century. All these articles are available online.

 

After the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary continued praying day and night. Before she passed away, an angel appeared to her and said, “Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord be with you” and she responded, “Thanks be to God.” The angel told her that she would be assumed into heaven on the third day of her death.

 

The Blessed Virgin Mary then assembled all the disciples who had gone to preach throughout the world. She announced her departure to them and to her relatives. All the apostles were present, except Thomas who was on mission in India. She invited the apostles to watch and pray with her the whole night until Lord Jesus appeared and received the soul of His beloved mother into heavenly glory. The apostles then laid her body in a tomb.

SEEK COMFORT IN THE MOTHER OF GOD

We had the blessing of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH)’s icon at our Church on Saturday, 23 July 2022. It was held before the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Novena prayer to Our Lady. We placed the images of both OMPH and Divine Mercy side by side, on the right wing of the Church. 

On 31 July 2022, our Adoration Room, which is situated next to the Parish Office, was officiated and blessed by His Grace Archbishop Julian Leow. The Blessed Sacrament is currently exposed in the temporary tabernacle while waiting for the completion of the construction of the Minangkabau-designed Tabernacle – which is expected to be soon.

 

We restored and replaced the icon of OMPH, which was previously in the sanctuary with a framed OMPH image. Both the old-framed images of OMPH and the Divine Mercy, which were hanging on the church’s wall, are now in our Adoration Room. 

 

This icon of OMPH came from Chiangmai in Thailand, along with the 4-foot statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. The ivory-coloured statue being appropriate for the outdoors, will be placed at the grotto, to replace the worn-out existing one. The statue is scheduled to be blessed on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August at 7:30 pm, when we gather at the grotto for Rosary before Mass.

Here is a little explanation about the iconography of OMPH, which is also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Succour: it represents the Mother of God, holding the Divine Child aged around 2-3 years old, seated in his mother’s left hand. The Child Jesus holds his mother’s hand tightly and seeks comfort from His mother, as He visualises the instruments of passion. 

Hovering on the upper corners, we have two Archangels - Michael and Gabriel - who symbolise instruments of passion. The Archangel Michael is in the left corner, holding a spear with the wine-soaked sponge and the crown of thorns. Whereas, the Archangel Gabriel is in the right corner, holding the cross and the nails. It is an expression of the vision of Jesus’ future passion and death. That passion and agony trigged Him and caused the loss of grip on His right sandal. If you see a portrayal of OMPH, you will notice that the background is coloured in gold. It symbolises the triumph of Christ over sin and death, and the sign of the glory of the resurrection.

 

The Child Jesus and Mother Mary have golden halos, but Christ’s halo is decorated with a cross as a sign of His divinity. Our Lady and Child Jesus are clothed in colours of royalty. The Greek initials ‘MP OV’ (left and right) next to Our Lady represents “Mother of God” whereas the “ic xc” is an abbreviation for “Jesus Christ”. The eight-pointed Star on Our Lady’s veil symbolises that she is the Star of the Sea, the star that leads us to Jesus Christ. A small, decorated cross to the left of the star highlights that the Star leads to Jesus.

 

Let us always devote ourselves to the novena prayer to OMPH every Saturday, as she plays a role in the plan of salvation as Mother of God and our Spiritual Mother. She guides us to her Son Jesus Christ, and she is our interceding help. She grants us her maternal care and protection from all evil, all danger and all distress.

STAY GROUNDED IN YOUR VALUES AND FAITH

Since the feast of St Thomas on 3rd July 2022, we have been praying for Pope Francis’ intention for the elderly - our ageing parents, grandparents, the sick and the dying. We, as family members, have the duty and responsibility to care for these elderly people, especially for those who struggle with loneliness, depression, frailty and isolation due to old age.

Last Sunday (24 July), the Universal Church celebrated the 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderlyand this was followed by the feast of two famous saints - Joachim and Anne on Tuesday, 26 July 2022. Although they are the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they are not made known in Scripture. They, however, remind us about the paramount role of grandparents. Like Saints Joachim and Anne, many grandparents and the elderly have put their entire hearts into raising children and grandchildren and leading them to God.

Children should be brought up with positive family values in a safe and loving environment. When our family is grounded with values and faith, then our children will be steadfast and more confident in their growth. Every Christian family should strive to grow in the fear of the Lord, in religious sentiments and in holiness. When worldly values are imbued in the hearts of our children, they may be swayed towards immoral values.

A great example we see in scripture is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is found to be pure, holy, strong and humble. Therefore, God has decided to take flesh in her womb. She was brought up by strong and prayerful parents - St Joachim and St Anne. They both nurtured Mary to become truly blessed among all women (cf. LK 1: 42) and both Mary and her parents live on for all successive generations (cf. Eccl 44: 1) and their good works are not forgotten. St Joachim and St Anne didn’t neglect their duties as parents and they ensured that their child, Blessed Virgin Mary, grew pure in heart.

For the whole month of July, we have been praying, reflecting and carrying out the intention of the Holy Father. We must give spiritual and practical support to grandparents and elderly people whenever needed. May they too continue to provide love, care and support to their younger generation with their prayers, wisdom, holiness and faith. Whenever possible, try to increase contact between grandparents and their grandchildren, in order to develop ongoing closeness and a loving bond. This relationship connects the dots which join one generation to the other.

The Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam and churches in Port Klang and Alor Gajah will be celebrating the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne this weekend. We seek their intercession for our grandparents and the elderly, especially those who are sick, abandoned and lonely. May the Lord grant you His blessings forever.

LIVING SIGNS OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD

On Sunday, 24 July 2022, we celebrate the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It was inaugurated by Pope Francis as an annual celebration in 2021, and every year it is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, which is also coincidentally the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim (July 26). The Universal Church recognises both St Anne and St Joachim as Patron Saints of grandparents. This year, the Holy Father has chosen the theme: “In old age, they will still bear fruits,” (Psalms 92:15).

Pope Francis “intends to emphasise how grandparents and the elderly are a value and gifts both for society and for ecclesial communities.” There is so much we could learn from them of their rich life experiences, faith and wisdom which could transform societies and communities. They are not a “throw-away culture” or “outcasts to be shunned” but they are “different from the poor and vulnerable.” 

HOLY IN ALL ACTIVITY

The world has become more globalised, and networks are expanding tremendously. Social media platforms can be reliable and at times, not so. Many tend to trust and believe what we read on social media. Now and then, we encounter false and misleading information on social media and in the past month, we were confronted with two fake news within the Catholic Church.

On 4 July 2022, rumours circulated that Pope Francis would be resigning as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. However, the Holy Father discredited this rumour when he told Reuters that he “dismissed the idea of resignation” and that it “never entered” his mind. Another fake news - circulated on social media on 11 July 2022 - caused a stir, as it reported the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He is still alive in Vatican City at age 95!

 

It seems that fake news travels faster than any other news, so for goodness’ sake, please stop spreading them! Such unverified and untrue messages are detrimental, as it can cause anxiety and stress. This can lead to a deteriorating quality of life and may prevent us from simply seeking out the truth before jumping to conclusions. Adding to the anxiety of rumours and fake news in our daily lives, can be exhausting.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matt 11: 28)

. At times, we may want to give up due to fatigue and tiredness. However, amid our daily struggles, we should turn to Him for consolation, joy, strength and hope. Jesus never felt tired when fulfilling His Father’s will and mission on earth. He did everything with obedience and humility. What is lacking in our lives is the virtue of humility and strength to go on in our service for others.

All stress, troubles and hardships should drive us back into the arms of our Lord Jesus. He is in control of our lives, and He can comfort, console and strengthen us. Each experience will deepen our faith in Jesus, who holds all things in His hands and help us to grow closer to Him. When we endure - “Your endurance will win you your lives,” (Lk 21:19) and He will form us, mould us and bring us to greater life in Him.

Many of us have been serving in the Church for many years and sometimes, we may find it difficult and tiring. Perhaps we have thought about giving up, but the Lord says, “do not get tired” (2 Thessalonians 3: 13) but “put yourselves at the service of others” (1 Peter 4: 10) and “be yourselves holy in all your activity” (1 Peter 1:15) “so that in everything, God may receive the glory through Jesus Christ,”  (1 Peter 4: 11).