Compassion Walk: Street Evangelisation

Mar 23, 2016

March 7-12, the Archdiocesan Youth and Single Adult Office (ASAYO)’s Compassion Walk was focused on Street Evangelisation.

Below we highlight some sharings of those who spent time on the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

I experienced my own conversion

“Our week began with an introduction to ‘New Evangelisation’ through the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s address in 2000 (now, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). The address revealed valuable insights which I thought I understood at the time of reading, but the Lord had a different plan.

We were asked to evangelise to people on the streets. First, we used props; we gave strangers flowers and ‘attempted’ to talk to them about God. The second time, we weren’t allowed any resources. Gregory Pravin Rajah had a different lesson in mind for us when he followed our trio out on our so called ‘mission.’ He questioned our motives. Did we really love Christ, or did we just do it for the sake of the programme? If we really loved Christ, why didn’t we stop and talk to those we met along the way to our designated area? Did the people on the way not need Christ? I found myself near Central Market, knowing where I was yet completely lost at the same time. Why was I doing this? To fulfil my Lenten obligation?

“As it started raining, we ran to a pedestrian bridge (or tunnel) for shelter and found ourselves surrounded by some homeless individuals, as well as drug addicts. After a brief confrontation of our fears and a quick ‘pep-talk’ using the story of St Maria Goretti, we pushed on and approached a man in the tunnel. To our surprise, he (an Indian immigrant, named Mathi) was as fearful as us, and he was just looking for shelter. Mathi exclaimed that he was thankful for our interaction with him, and it was ‘just like God telling him not to be here.’ Then it hit me! If I saw Christ in these individuals around me, I wouldn’t be afraid to approach them. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, explains the method of “New Evangelisation” as “the wish to serve for the good of the people and humanity, giving room to HE who is Life.” Mathi saw Christ in us, but we failed to see Christ in him.

“Going out on a mission to evangelise to others, I, in turn, experienced my own conversion: beginning to see one’s life through the eyes of God, thereby looking for the good, even if uncomfortable; not aiming at the judgement of the majority of men, but on the justice of God. In other words: to look for a new style of life, a new life.”

“In the following days of our Compassion walk, I began to slowly shed my fears and doubts. Going out again, with nothing to offer the homeless on the street, I was amazed at how open they were. Uncle K and Uncle G shared how there are many people who offer them food and aid, but hardly seem genuine. I wondered if he was referring to my comrades and I, but as we left, he invited us to come back and see them again.

“Though we had nothing, our new friends on the street gave us more than we could have asked for. It is not about feeding their physical and temporal needs alone; it’s definitely MUCH MORE than that.

“Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave.” Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est --By Jacinta Claire Fernandez

Astounded by the generosity of the poor

“Before joining Asayo’s Compassion Walk, I thought the street evangelisation mission exercise would be a prolonged feeding exercise. No, it was exactly what it said on the tin — evangelising on the streets of KL, in LRT trains and stations, to children and those in bars and clubs.

What can I give when I have nothing material to give? Nothing in my pockets except my Mykad and mobile phone. Can I share in people’s suffering and offer them a glimpse of the hope of Christ? Or am I just looking to do the bare minimum and tick something off my checklist?

“I had many autopilot actions that needed to be overwritten. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t make eye contact. Don’t reveal any personal details. Don’t give out your phone number. They may hurt, rob, abduct or rape you.

“When I let my human fears and insecurities consume me, I lost the supernatural outlook of the mission. I forgot whose mission it was (hint: not mine and not Asayo’s either.) Many times, I chose to retreat because I thought it was on my shoulders and on my (little) strength alone. How foolish! During these times, I did not plant any seeds. I spoke to no one. How easy it is to profess my faith at every Mass, but when push comes to shove, will I open my lips in spite of these fears?

“It was only when I surrendered to Him, in those moments when I stopped analyzing and focusing on what I could or couldn’t do, would or wouldn’t do, that I was able to encounter those around me and proclaim Him. Only by His grace could I step out of my comfort zone to be his instrument.

“Seeing the joy of children who have endured much heartache. Beautiful moments of praying in the street with Stephen on Changkat Bukit Bintang and Bilal at Masjid India. Realising that our brokenness is universal, no matter if you are local or migrant, senile or sharp, homeless or with a roof over your head, me or you. Listening, as Uncle J said, he wished he could die soon. All he wanted was to die in his sleep, no more suffering. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.

“The generosity of the poor astounded me. A blind man offered to share his stool with me while I waited in the kaki lima for the torrential rain to subside. I would have clung on to whatever little material comfort I had if I were in his shoes. Another uncle wanted to share the energy bars I gave him with his other homeless friends. I would’ve saved whatever little food received to sustain me until the next meal. The story of the widow’s mite came to life.

“It was truly a living examination of conscience for me. If evangelisation is supposed to result in metanoia, I can only speak of my own conversion by the end of the week.” -- By Tanya Lazar

Source: Facebook Asayo Kuala Lumpur Photo credit: Adrian Sebastian and Elizabeth Chai

‘Seek Ye First’

MELAKA: Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:32-34. These youths were given recognition in Church, not only because they did well in their SPM examinations, but more because they did well while serving the Church in the various ministries. Some of these youths are still serving as altar servers, hospitality ministers, choir members, lectors and cantors. Some are also catechist assistants in the Sunday catechism.

These youths are gifted and they have used their God given talents to serve the Church well. Their willingness to help the Church in the various activities, even with their busy schedule of study, is exemplary. They have shown us that it is possible to serve the Church and still do well in examinations. It is all because of their faith in God who provides for those who believe in Him and His promises.

Regardless of how many distinctions they scored, all were given an ‘ang pow.’ Recognition must also be given to the parents of these students who supported and encouraged them along their journey. -- By Rosalind Lo

Terengganu youths and seniors help clean beach

KUALA TERENGGANU: In the season of Lent, the Catholic Community in Kuala Terengganu came together, 40 youths and a few seniors, to do their part to help keep clean the famous Batu Buruk beach in Kuala Terengganu.

Fr Phillips Muthu said the youths and seniors felt that Lent is not only about Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving but also about protecting and preserving Mother Nature, our earth. The event was held on March 5, starting in the morning, with all wearing green T-shirts, including Fr Phillips. We were helping the local Town Council of Kuala Terengganu (MBKT) to clean up part of the beach of rubbish, consisting mainly of discarded empty bottles and cans, plastic bags, paper and the like.

According to Jameson, who is a Teacher Trainee Student, by partaking in such an exercise, we are also promoting good values that can be cultivated by the general public.