MELAKA : The underlining message of the day’s readings — “The importance of giving away what we have with joy” — provided the essence of Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio’s homily at the concelebrated Sunset Eucharistic Celebration on Nov 7 in conjunction with the 160th founding anniversary celebration of Banda Kaba’s Church of St Francis Xavier.

The message also runs in tandem with the inspired life of the Patron of the Missions, St Francis Xavier, who left his prestigious professorship at the world renowned University of Paris to become Christ’s missionary, noted the Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia based in Bangkok.

Gleaning through the readings concerning the two poor widows, where one gives Elijah the last morsel of her food and the other her single coin, overlooked by almost everyone, Archbishop Pennacchio said, “We should give away what we possess, with joy regardless of our material resources and talents for the greater glory of God.

“The charity and detachment of the kind woman who gave Elijah the last of her food is recompensed with a miracle. The simple generosity of the second woman, unaware of being observed, received praises from Christ.

“Jesus calls on us to give generously disregarding the fact of who we are or what we have, even if it seems insignificant in the face of the world. When we share ourselves and what is entrusted to us with one another in community, we too find that God can work miracles, sometimes very dynamic, sometimes very simple and basic. Those deeds move the world a little closer to the divide realm of justice and peace.

“Likewise, we extol the life of St Francis Xavier with the commemoration of this 160th founding anniversary historic milestone for which we now give thanks. St Francis gave his life by proclaiming the Word and Gospels in this region. Thus he became a saintly model for our true worship.

“As is in the Gospel reading of the day, Jesus is speaking to us in a special way, directly and personally. “Give to others and God who will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure poured into your hands, all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one God will use for you” (Lk 6:38).”

For the packed and overflowing faithful congregation, partaking in the thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration was an occasion to be cherished. Apart from Archbishop Pennacchio as principal celebrant, nine priests including Msgr Sebastian Francis were on hand as concelebrants.

They included Frs M.Devadasan, Thomas Koo, Moses Lui, Francis Ng, John Yoew, Joseph Heng, Cyril Mannayagam and Christopher Lee. Just before the final blessing, the Apostolic Delegate presented to parish priest Fr Devadasan the Holy Father’s Apostolic Blessing invoking an abundance of heavenly blessings and the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Later that night, close to eight hundred local and outstation parishioners and their friends, clergy and members of religious communities and well wishers attended a celebration dinner at the Pay Teck School Hall along Jalan Kubu. Archbishop Pennacchio was the principal guest of honour. — By Percy D’Cruz