Kaamatan celebration in Tawau

May 23, 2014

TAWAU (Herald Malaysia): The month of May is a meaningful month for the Kadazan Dusun community all over Sabah. It is the month of thanksgiving for the great blessing and grace granted by the Almighty to their community. Responding to the goodness of the Almighty and as a sign of deep and prayerful gratitude, the Tinimungan Kadazan Dusun (TUKAD) community of Holy Trinity Church (HTC) offered their Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, May 4. More than 600 TUKAD members together with other parishioners attended the Eucharistic celebration.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr David A Garaman, the assistant rector of HTC, concelebrated by Fr Philip Muji of St Mary’s Cathedral Sandakan, who was on a visit to the parish.

The celebrant began his homily by reflecting on the gospel reading from Luke 24 : 13-35, the road to Emmaus. He said, “Journeying together with other communities of various traditions and customs sometimes would blind us from recognizing Christ in our midst. The friction, misunder-standing and at times the unintended racist practices pose a great barrier to establishing the spirit of brotherhood as commanded by Jesus Christ.”

The lesson from the Word of God teaches us that by going through the same experience as that of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, our eyes are opened to recognize Christ through the Scriptures and through the Eucharist.

Another lesson from the Word of God is that the death of Jesus shattered the disciples’ hopes and dreams. They were at the verge of ‘giving up.’ There are moments in our life when we have felt the same as the disciples. When encountered with problems, we fail to recognize and seek the Lord. His life-giving word and the bread of life, would nourish and sustain us.

Many a time, we ourselves take that journey to Emmaus. We seek Christ in our disappointment, sadness, anger, doubts and many other challenges. Let us not forget that Christ indeed is just next to us. As we journey together to Emmaus, let us stand together in solidarity and peace and become the messengers of His love to others.

After the Mass, everybody adjourned to the Parish Hall for a luncheon fellowship and presentations.