MJD News Update #19D

The disciple, visiting the master, exclaimed, “Wow, wow, wow! This is a beautiful patch of land you live on!”

Dec 05, 2020

Welcome to F12 MJD NEWS UPDATES #19: Greetings and Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, dear People of God.

A Thought for the Week:

The disciple, visiting the master, exclaimed, “Wow, wow, wow! This is a beautiful patch of land you live on!”

And the master, looking at the disciple, with a hint of a smile, responded saying, “When you have a beautiful mind everything, and everyone, and everywhere is beautiful.”

Let’s reflect a little?

What does it mean to have a beautiful mind? Would you consider your mind to be a beautiful one?

If yes, what do you think makes it so? What makes your mind beautiful?

As it says in Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” So as we align our hearts and minds with the Lord, then our purpose on earth will not only be clear but successful, and even beautiful.

Abdul Kalam, the former president of India and a scientist, said: If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher. 

2.0 Announcements for this week:

2.1 The MJD dedicates the Advent Fridays of Prayer & Fast for the suffering and the wounded world. Let this be your Advent gift.

2.2 On the following dates: Dec 4, 11 and 18 @ 8.00pm, join us online for the Advent Friday Holy Hour. The diocese in communion, prays for a heart that hears the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth.

2.3 The first-ever “Virtual Christmas Charity Concert 2020”, a joint  project of Caritas-MJD and Catholics GoLive will be live streamed on Dec 12 from 8.00pm - 10.00pm. It is a programme filled with carolling and sharing on the real message of Christmas. The proceeds will go to three beneficiaries, ie the Homeless Project of the SSVP of CIC, JB; the Montfort Youth Centre, Melaka and the Care Haven’s new orphanage at Kota Tinggi. 

2.4 COVID-19 IMPACT. What's Next? Here are some thoughts from Dr Amar Singh. There is no certainty that it will be over soon. It is not a sprint but rather a tedious and demanding marathon.

A new COVID-19 generation of angry, irritable, depressed and suicidal young people are surfacing. More and more people are grieving. We can foresee more poor, a new poor and more damage to the environment. There is fear for our children, their education, the disparities in educational provisions and facilities, and the dependence on unstable online services in teaching, and the isolating of the vulnerable and elderly.

2.5 What Is Ahead For Malaysians?
Is the country slipping into its own dark ages? Do we see more profiteers of chaos appearing or more proponents of saving the people, who are the fabric of the nation? The most recent survey, Global Corruption Barometer by Transparency International-Malaysia, showed the top three institutions most mistrusted by Malaysians, are the Parliament, the police and the government officials. (FMT Nov 25, 2020)

3.0 This Week’s Questions & Queries?

Today we will look at some guidelines employed by faith communities to evaluate a prophetic word.

1. The Word is received as the ‘potential word’ from God. That is the starting point. 

2. That word will act as the ‘springboard’ to prayer and the study of the word.

3. Next, the filtering of the general revelation from uninspired interpretation, and its application is conveyed.

4. The prophecy or revealed word is written down for further reference and evaluation; and is waited upon for confirmation from ‘outside sources’.

5. Staying obedient in prayer, preparation and developing our character till its fulfilment.

6. When it is confirmed, we need to note the conditions, the required actions and the implications.

7. The course of action is decided upon, and captured as a draft statement which includes promises and conditions.

Watch out next week for three discernment and decision-making models of faith communities! Let us continue to build God’s Kingdom together. Have a great weekend. God bless you.   

Bishop Bernard Paul
November 4, 2020
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