MUAR: After 100 years of existence, “we must celebrate what we believe and live out what we celebrate,” remarked Bishop Paul Tan while encouraging St Andrew’s faithful to glean its history, take stock of the present situation and look forward with a dynamic plan.

His clarion call was made in his homily at the late evening Eucharistic Celebration in conjunction with the parish’s centenary celebration on Nov 28 attended by a large congregation including clergy and seminarians from the Melaka and Northern Johor Districts, scores of former Muarians residing and working outstation including Singapore.

Bishop Tan said, “The celebration of a centenary of anything is not a small matter. As St Andrew’s Church celebrates its 100 years, we are all extremely proud as it coincides with the beginning of the Church’s new calendar. The first week of Advent is indeed very appropriate as the readings of the day are most suitable.

“In the true story of the large cruise ship the Titanic, the newspapers reported most blasphemously and ridiculously of people asking if the chairs were arranged on the deck properly. The point is that we too are very much like these people, being caught up with material things in life that we put our own spiritual welfare on a backseat.

“Instead of preparing our souls for meeting with our Creator, we are caught up with the arrangement of deck chairs. And so I ask, “What are we doing with our lives now? Preoccupied with material things of life or preparing our souls to meet God?”

For the present day context, Bishop Tan drew attention to the second reading from the letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians where its implication is crystal clear. Paul prays: “and may He (God) so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints”.

Bishop Tan further said, “All this leads to the third reading on the future that is to come. It is about the second coming of Christ preceded by horrifying disasters of all kinds, ranging from natural disasters to nation killing another nation. This type of writing termed ‘apocalyptic writing’ was most popular at that time. It is like dreaming about monstrous events but it reveals a truth to come.

“Many people get intoxicated with such writings. St Paul warns against such actions... ‘lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this world...(Lk 221:34). The point of the Gospel is that we must be sober and prepare ourselves for the terrible days to come. But be aware that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him’ (Rm 5:5). You all love Him. So just continue to love Him in all that you do and you will have no fears”.

Bishop Tan then conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 34 Mandarin-speaking youths and adults from Muar and Tangkak. —By Percy D’Cruz