Relent, Return and Repent

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. This is the time to take those three penitential acts, praying, fasting and giving alms. Why did Jesus single out prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for his disciples? The Jews considered these three as the cardinal works of the religious life. These were seen as the key signs of a pious person, the three great pillars on which the good life was based. Jesus pointed to the heart of the matter. Why do you pray, fast, and give alms? To draw attention to yourself so that others may notice and think highly of you? Or to give glory to God? The Lord warns his disciples of self-seeking glory the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things (Isaiah 11:1-2).

Let us take one step back to examine the meaning of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter Sunday. We follow Jesus into the desert, that harsh arid environ, that barren landscape both fascinating and terrifying, and for many of us, the last place on earth we would want to end up in. It lacks the necessary vegetation and foliage that would provide shade from the accursed sun. It lacks water necessary for life. The desert is literally deserted, a place not meant for the living, just for the dead. It is there that the power of death holds sway. And yet, the desert is the perfect place to spend Lent. In the Gospels, Jesus is tempted in the wilderness to be a different kind of Messiah; to take the path of spectacle and power rather than that of humble service. Each year, in imitation of our Lord, we retreat into the desert for the forty days – the liturgical season consecrated for personal conversion and preparation to celebrate the great mysteries of our redemption.

The forty days of Lent is the annual retreat of the people of God in imitation of Jesus' forty days in the wilderness. Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised land.  Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. We are called to journey with the Lord in a special season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penitence as we prepare to celebrate the feast of Easter, the Christian Passover. The Lord gives us spiritual food and supernatural strength to seek his face and to prepare ourselves for spiritual combat and testing. We, too, must follow in the way of the cross in order to share in the victory of Christ's death and resurrection. What is the sure reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is communion with God our Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life, happiness, and truth.

Today, as the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, the blessed ashes are "imposed" on the faithful as a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality. The act of putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolize that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent. St. Augustine of Hippo tells us that there are two kinds of people and two kinds of love: One is holy, the other is selfish. One is subject to God; the other endeavors to equal Him. We are what we love. God wants to free our hearts from all that would keep us captive to selfishness and sin. Rend your hearts and not your garments says the prophet Joel (Joel 2:12). The Holy Spirit is ever ready to transform our hearts and to lead us further in Gods way of truth and holiness.

As we begin this holy season of testing and preparation, let's ask the Lord for a fresh outpouring of his Holy Spirit that we may grow in faith, hope, and love and embrace his will more fully in our lives. May the prayer of Augustine of Hippo, recorded in his Confessions, be our prayer this Lent: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete. The Lord wants to renew us each day and give us new hearts of love and compassion. God also implores us to "re-lent," that is, to enter year after year into the spirit of Lent with our whole heart. He tells us through the prophet Joel to "re-turn" to Him and "quit" the ways of the world, even those which might be good (Jl 2:16), for His sake. Through the Church, He calls us to "turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel." We don't just turn away from worldly things; we turn to the Lord God.

Re-Lenting and re-turning must lead to repenting. During Lent, focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With true sorrow, repent of your sins, confess them to the Lord, and let Him take away the guilt of your sin (see Ps 32:5). Repent of turning to the lifestyle of the world and the preoccupations of the flesh. Return to Him (Jl 2:13). Abandon yourself completely into this season of returning, repenting, and relenting. The Lord says: "Return to Me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God" (Jl 2:12-13). This year, don't simply go through the exercises and motions of Lent. Re-lent, repent, and re-turn to the Lord.

My personal faith story

Last year, I was asked to write an article to share my faith experience. For those who do not know me, I was baptized two years ago and now I'm officially a Roman Catholic. This reminds me a question posted by one of my friend by asking “Do you think God really exist? What makes you think that God really exist in your life”? You might recall this statement in those exorcism movies that showed on the big screen of a cinema. Well, don’t get me wrong! I’m pretty sure that this person asks me out of curiosity, not because he is possessed by the evil one, in which,  we believe it as ‘Devil’.  My answer to him is just simple and short! “Yes, I truly believe.”  You might be wondering what makes me believe that God really exist in my life (perhaps in everyone’s life for that matter)? With the sophisticated technology that we have in this modern world, we can do things on our own! Do you think we really need God in our life? Do we really need to rely on His grace? Perhaps, we often missed the greatest gift that God has given or planted in each one of us- the seed of faith! Yes, in today's modern world, we might hear all sorts of questions from people, people who do not know Christ! People who prefer to do things on their own.  

Come back to the question that what makes me really think that God is important in my/our life? What makes me think that Catholic is the religion or faith that I’m looking for in my life?  In order to address all these questions, today I’m going to share with you the story of my faith, the faith that I can find the fullness of truth about God.

Throughout my 18 years of life, God is never my priority in life. If I would to rank, I guess it will be the last. Study will be my first choice in life. No study, no hope! No good result, I’m bound to death! Thank God, God is full of mercy! Just like what the picture of the divine mercy speak to us, it shows us God’s unfathomable divine mercy, it show us God’s love to the human race. I should consider myself have a good achievement in my academic life.  Thank God for His endless mercy. Unfortunately, I failed to recognize that was God’s blessing, living in the world of blindness. After my academic life, I'm blessed! I start to realized that something is missing in my life. Undoubtedly, I have a very good family, caring parents, and good friends surrounding me. So what is missing in my life? During that time, I couldn’t figure it out! Now, I know the answer. The answer is God. I know the thing that I missed in my life is ‘God’. The inner peace that only God himself can give it to me. Just like the bible says:  Peace be with you! I give you My peace; not as the world gives peace do I give it to you. Do not be troubled; do not be afraid (John 14:27) I still remember when I read this verse, I truly inspired by it. I can really feel the love from God. I can feel the peace of God in me. Well, you might think that I’m exaggerating. But, this is what I felt when I read this verse from the bible. However, it does not immediately draw me near to the water of baptism. In other words, I m still searching! I’m still searching who is God. Who is the creator of the whole human race?

During the process of searching, I read many religion books; books that can lead me the way to find my creator. Finally I came to a conclusion that, only Catholic, only the Catholic Church that reveals or shows us the fullness of truth about God. One might argue, why catholic? Why not other religion? Please don't get me wrong! It does not mean that other religion is not good, or they are the false gods! The word fullness here refers to the fullness truth that reflects about God. Why I’m sure that God’s truth is truly reflects in the Catholic Church is because of the teaching of the church, the living word of Christ which truly reflects the situation in this modern society.  We can also see the private revelation to a young saint, Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, where a 14 years old peasant girl admitted to her mother that a “lady(Blessed Virgin Mary)” spoke to her while gathering the firewood with her sister and a friend. Many more miraculous events take place around the world and these events are solely recognized by the Catholic Church. Of course, as a catholic, you are not bound to believe it because that is not the deposit of our faith. But, aren’t these revelations by the supernatural power telling you something?  Indicating something in life?

 Well, you might find those arguments does not make any sense by saying the Catholic Church is the religion that reflect the fullness of truth about God. Often, we forget about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sprit that guide us in our life, the Holy Spirit that teach us the truth about God. If you are a free thinker, you might question me by saying “not the Holy Spirit is the one who guided you in life, but your own self-conscious”. We tend to forget that God is our creator, without Him, nothing can be done. You might think that you can do things on your own without relying on God’s grace, God’s power! Trust me; you will never go far in life!

Today I’m glad that I got a chance to share with you my faith, my catholic faith, which encompasses the fullness of truth about God.  God is never far from us. He cares for us! He loves us! When we are facing difficulties in our life, He is always there to give us grace to overcome the obstacles that we face in life. Do not despair nor become despondent! Do not doubt your faith, the catholic faith, because the Catholic Church contains the fullness Christian TRUTH, it covers the Catholics Church’s unbroken history, the four marks of the truth church, the sacraments, the purpose of life and more.

 So now, do you believe in the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC church?

Our Lady of Lourdes Feast and Novena 2014 - MARY, THE MODEL OF HOLINESS

Our Lady of Lourdes Feast and Novena 2014 - MARY, THE MODEL OF HOLINESS

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Pastoral Theme 2014 - The Church is Holy

6th Feb (Thu) : 7.30pm - "Universal Call to Holiness"

7th Feb (Fri) : 7.30pm "Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism & Confirmation)

8th Feb (Sat) : 6.00pm "Eucharist- Source and Summit of our Life
                                     of Holiness"
                                     (Eucharistic Procession after mass)

9th Feb (Sun) : 8.00am (E)
                       10.15am (T) "Sacraments of Healing"
                       12.15pm (BM)
                       6.00pm (E)

10th Feb (Mon) : 7.30pm (T/E) "Sacrament of Church Order"

11th Feb (Tue) : 7.30pm (E/T) "Evangelical Counsels- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes"

12th Feb (Wed) : 7.30pm (T/E) "Prayer and the Life of Holiness"

13th Feb (Thu) : 7.30pm (E/T) "Communion of Saints"

14th Feb (Fri) : 7.30pm (T/E) "Penitential Life- Prayer, Fasting& Works of Charity"

15th Feb (Sat) : 10.30am (E/T) : Mass with Annoiting for the Sick (World day of prayer for the Sick)

: 6.00pm (E/T/BM) :Mary, Model of Holiness
(Marian Procession after mass)

16th Feb (Sun): 8.00am(E)
                         10.15am (T) "The Church is Holy"
                         12.15pm (BM)
                         6.00pm (E)

Note: Confession/ Rosary will be held half an hour before the Novena.

*Mass bookings can be made at the Parish Office or at the counter in front of the Church.

*Those who wish to donate flowers for the church or the procession, drinks or food, please contact the parish office at 03-33713053

"Please write all cheques payable to "Church of Our Lady of Lourdes"

BERNADETTE WALK

Journey with St.Bernadette to discover the Lourdes experience through dioromas and Photo exhibitions. Learn about Marian iconography and devotions. Spend quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament.

Date: 6th - 16th February 2014

Venue: Basement Rooms

Time: 5.00pm ~ 9.30pm
(Monday to Friday)

9.00am ~ 9.00pm
(Saturday & Sunday)

Address:
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang

114, Jalan Tengku Kelana, 41000 Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Chinese New Year- Year of Horse

Soon we will be celebrating Chinese New Year 2014. Based on the Chinese  zodiac, each of the years being associated  with an animal and this year we have horse as the symbol. The Chinese zodiac follows a twelve year cycle and the Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on characteristics of the animal associated with the year. I found an interesting write up by Fr Stephen Chin on the Herald Malaysia that  explained how we Christian think about the horse in this Chinese New Year. 

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By Fr Stephen Chin
In this New Year 2014 we have the horse as the symbol. Last year, it is the year of the snake. Let us take a look at the horse in the Chinese tradition.

The HORSE is reckoned as the 7th of the 12 terrestrial branches. It is written in ancient classica1 script as a pictorial symbol of the actual horse and pronounced as ma. It is now written in a simpler form: ma. The horse is classed under the element of FIRE ( = fuo) and has its place in the SOUTH ( = nam). In the trigrams, the symbol CHIEN ( ) represents the male element ( = yang) and it symbolizes HEAVEN, HORSE, TIRELESS STRENGTH AND SOUTH. Let us see a little of what has been written about the horse.

The Great Chinese materia medica: Pen T’sao which has 24 sections, describes the history and uses of the horse. By the way, to think of it, the horse is considered delicacy even in our own country. I have heard of horsemeat barbecued as fine satay! Believe it or not! And horse meat fetches a very good price, unofficially priced, of course.

A section of the Pen T’sao deals with the horse as food or medicine.

-- A pure, white horse is very good for medicine.
-- The liver is said to be poisonous.
-- The heart, dried and powdered and mixed with wine is good for forgetfulness.
--The warts of the horse above the knees, which are called the “night eyes” for travelling at night, are useful for toothache.
-- The ashes of the skull mingled with water and the head of the skull used for a pillow is a cure for restlessness and hysteria.

What should we Christians think about the horse in this Chinese New Year

First and foremost, all superstitions must be deleted from our minds and hearts, if there are any, concerning the horse. However, every good symbol and positive mark concerning the horse can help us to come nearer to our Creator and Lord. This must be exploited to the fullest for our use towards educating man to great heights of glory, sanctity and happiness.

(1) With masculinity, tirelessness, strength to pursue our goal: The masculinity of the horse should make us realize that we must not be like jelly fish and remain passive but in our constant endeavours, we must have tireless strength to pursue towards our goal in 1ife, that is to fight to the last, to obtain the eternal crown of victory which our Lord God has prepared for us.

(2) Medicinal cure: The horse is used as a medicinal cure for bodily and spiritual sickness. This reminds us that the cure for our soul is in the Great Physician Jesus Christ, our Lord who not only cures but strengthens us through His living Word and Sacraments making us children of our Heavenly Father and his brothers and sisters, giving us even New life, new strength and new vigour.

(3) Liver and nose: Let us never be “liverish” and poisonous in our minds and hearts but let us have the significance of the nose, fire of the horse to be consumed by the fire and love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to love and serve others joyfully.

(4) Heart and wine: Do you remember that the dried and powdered heart of the horse mixed with wine is able to cure forgetfulness? Yes, let us never forget in our hearts to obey God’s commandments. May the wine of gIadness (vinum laetificat cor hominum means wine makes the heart of men joyful and happy), make us joyful in serving the Lord.

(5) “Night eyes” Let us have the “night eyes” of the horse to see in the darkness of our suffering, pain and tribulation, the inner meaning of God’s Holy will for us in all situations in life, to travel perseveringly to the end of our destiny that is heaven.

(6) Restlessness: Let us realize that we are restless and our sickness of restlessness will continue until we rest in the Lord by having faith and confidence in Him.

(7) From the creature to the Creator : Painters throughout the centuries, past and present alike have admired the wonderful creation of God, the horse. Yes. we are able to come to our Creator through admiring and recognising God’s hands in all of them and kneel down to adore Him.

(8) Worship: Ma Wang ( ): We will not invoke or worship the Ma Wang but we will certainly worship and invoke the King of horses and of all creation. God, our Lord and universal king, Jesus Christ.

The horse in the Bible

(1) Pharaoh’s army with his horses and chariots :
Let us turn to the Bible and see .. When I read the Bible, I came across Pharaoh’s chariots and horses ( a powerful army) chasing after God’s people. I cannot help but praise God in drowning Pharaoh’s army, horses and chariots, in the Red Sea while God’s people crossed the Red Sea dry shod, safe and sound. The powerful intervention of God saved His People who called for His help. Has he stopped helping us now? NO far from it.

(2) God’s coming riding on the cloud to help His People :
I too, remember God’s coming riding on the cloud i from heaven speedily to help His people in their great distress and peril. It is said in so many places in the Bible, that God comes riding on the cloud to save the just, the poor and the oppressed against their enemies.

(3) Use God’s creation for good not for evil :
Nations go to battle to grab for more power. People use force against force, just or unjust, depending on the intentions of the people. Horses are used for battle, for wars, for spying, for killing like those gunslingers who are trigger-happy to kill, to murder, to rape, to destroy. Or they are used to save, to bring justice and peace to the people, to bring law and order to the tribe, community or nation. Let us never abuse God’s creation for a bad purpose or for a malicious intent to destroy others or to satisfy our revengeful spirit but rather always to use God’s created things, living or inanimate, for the greater glory of God and for the benefit of mankind. The most beautiful thought that comes to my mind, I think, is this: Jesus riding humbly on an ass (donkey, colt, pony).

(4) Jesus riding humbly on a pony: 
This shows how humble Jesus is – riding on an ass (donkey, colt, pony). What a great and vivid contrast to the rulers and conquerors of the world who wield power and who wish one and all to know, see and feel the power exuding from them: the power to kill or destroy at will, everything that we possess … wield power and who wish one and all to know, see and feel the power exuding from them : the power to kill anyone or destroy at will, everything that we possess …

Yet Jesus, humbly riding on a stupid donkey is the sign of God’s power : God coming down to us riding on the cloud to help us.

Jesus was acclaimed as King of the Jews in his riding up to Jerusalem on a silly ass (donkey). The people made Him their King, who has power over death. (They saw the raising of Lazarus from the dead). Yes remember : Still water runs deep; using the Chinese Chi Kong of inner strength as a lame comparison. Jesus rides quietly with inner strength on a humble donkey up to Jerusalem to receive glory and triumph that are properly His. Yes, this is a wonderful thought that we can cherish all the days of our life.

Conclusion 
Yes, in this Chinese New Year, let us with courage and strength, with warmth, love and passion signified by the nose of the horse (fire) fight as champions and heroes of truth, justice, honesty and love.

Let us be messengers of God by bringing speedily and perseveringly God’s message of salvation to the world. Have courage, for God comes speedily riding on the cloud to help us in our endeavours.

God gives us medicine for our body and soul in His Creation: in the horse and grasses (herbs) of the field which have healing properties. May we thank God for these wonderful gifts of creation.

“Lord, you are so good! Thank you Lord. In this Chinese New Year, please come riding on the clouds to help us in all our needs and may You bless all of us especially our Chinese brothers and sisters during this festive Chinese New Year of the Horse. May the sight of wonderful spring with horses running in the fields, lead us closer to You day by day in this Chinese New Year of the Horse, 2014.

Source: http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/The-Year-of-the-Horse-18409-0-1.html

We are loved by God

Baptism of the Lord

Last week we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, which the word "epiphany" comes from the Greek "epiphainen", a verb that means "to shine upon", "to manifest", or "to make known", Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made himself known to the world, mainly the three events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12), the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), and the miracle at Cana (John  2:1-11). The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ's baptism is celebrated this coming Sunday.

At the first glance, the Baptism of the Lord might seem an odd feast. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, particularly Original Sin, Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself to John’s baptism? After all, He was born without Original Sin, and He lives His entire life without sinning. Therefore, He had no need of the sacrament, as we do.

In submitting Himself humbly to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, however, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be baptized, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which frees us from the darkness of sin and incorporates us into the Church, the life of Christ on earth! His Baptism, therefore, was necessary--not for Him, but for us.

Many of the Fathers of the Church, as well as the medieval Scholastics, saw Christ's Baptism as the institution of the sacrament. His Flesh blessed the water, and the descent of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) and the voice of God the Father announcing that this was His Son, in Whom He was well pleased, marked the beginning of Christ's public ministry.

In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of the “baptism” of his bloody death upon the cross. He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Gregory of Nazianzus, a seventh century Church father tells us: “Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him." Examine Jesus’ humility and ask the Holy Spirit to forge this same attitude in your heart. We are called to be “light” and “salt” to those around us. The Lord wants his love and truth to shine through us that others may see the goodness and truth of God’s message of salvation. Let us ask the Lord to fill us with his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the gospel to those around you.

Happiness is a gift from God. It is a gift freely given by God to those open to receive it. Happiness is knowing in the depths of one’s heart that one is truly loved by God. Happiness is knowing that we are loveable and that we are precious in the eyes of God. No matter how others may see us, no matter how others may judge us, nothing can change this single reality – we are loved by God.

This knowledge was the driving force behind Jesus. At his baptism, Jesus received this beautiful words from God the Father – “This is my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on him.” Knowing that he was loved by his Father in heaven, Jesus began his mission to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Although he faced many setbacks, although he was criticized and hated by many people, although he was rejected by his own relatives and neighbours, although he was betrayed by his own disciples, Jesus never waivered in his resolve. Only one thing mattered to him – knowing that he was loved by God and nothing … absolutely nothing can change that. On the cross, in the midst of his pain and loneliness, Jesus was sustained by the knowledge of God’s love for him and that God will never abandon him at this moment of his greatest need.

This is what God wants to tell each of you: “You are my Son. You are my daughter. You are precious. I love you very much!!!” We don’t have to prove ourselves to God. We don’t have to show him that we are good or that we are perfect. God loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses.

If we live each day with this knowledge of God’s love for us, we will not easily give up especially when we are faced with criticism from others. Whenever we celebrate the Mass, we are reminded again and again that we are loved by God. It was because of love, that God sent his only Son to die for us. Jesus, who gives his body and blood, is living proof of this. The mass is proof of God’s love. Because we are loved by God, let us now share this love with every other person.