Build with the Lord and not as we like

The Chrism Mass for Malacca Johore Diocese was held at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Krubong on Tuesday, April 9 at 8.00pm.

Apr 19, 2019

By Francis Ong
The Chrism Mass for Malacca Johore Diocese was held at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Krubong on Tuesday, April 9 at 8.00pm. About 1,500 parishioners from the different parishes gathered together with Bishop Bernard Paul, Bishop Emeritus Paul Tan, Priests, Deacons and Religious - to declare our oneness in Christ.

During the Mass, we witnessed our Priests renewing their dedication, in union with the Bishop, to the ministerial priesthood, the blessing of the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Consecration of Holy Chrism. These Blessed and Consecrated Oils will be used in the various Sacraments.

Bishop Bernard gave his homily in Bahasa and English with powerpoint presentation. He began with the themes of the past Chrism Masses celebrated:

--4E Catholics ie 4E Priests, 4E Parish,
--4E Diocese, 4E Church (2016)
-- Try To Be A Little Kinder (2017)
-- Earthen Vessel, Sweet Fragrance (2018)
-- Return & Rebuild (2019)

Bishop Bernard said “the theme came through prayer and is found in Prophet Nehemiah’s message”. He then illustrated this theme Return & Rebuild. He highlighted Nehemiah chapter 2, verse 17 - Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”

Bishop Bernard added that Prophet Nehemiah was in exile in Babylon and his desire was to return to rebuild Jerusalem.

He saw, he assessed and shared the actual situation of the city with others. It was a city in ruins — ruined walls, gaps in the wall, gates broken, and only the city standing. He then urged us, “Just as Nehemiah repaired Jerusalem which was in ruins, we too must do the same. We must take care of the fundamentals: our personal lives, our families, our communities, our parish, and our Church. This will ensure that the holes in our lives such as ‘no protection-open and vulnerable’, ‘no order-leakage and wastage, intrusion and instability’ can be avoided. The Spirit of God gives and safeguards the fundamentals to protect us. We must pray for the right action as Nehemiah did – ie God’s plan.”

Bishop Bernard further added, “we must build with the Lord, and not as we like. To focus our energy, effort and money to continue building — fencing, walls…..and not unnecessary things.” So Return & Rebuild before the enemy overruns our lives.”

Fr Patrick Tyoh, the Parish Priest of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, gave the Mandarin translation.

After the Chrism Mass, refreshments were served. The people mingled with Bishop Bernard and the priests.

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