Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #126

An aged man, once a national leader, has embarked on another round to destroy the PM, the unity government and the nation. Reports on abuse of power and nation’s assets and wealth have surfaced.

Mar 31, 2023

“Greetings again dear people of God. “I was blind but now I see”, said the blind man in the Gospel of John (9:1-41). With effect from Palm Sunday, the dispensation from Sunday obligation for Catholics will cease. The in-person presence at Mass is encouraged. Jom Ziarah initiatives and interfaith efforts at bridge-building have sparked fears and police reports. The PM has warned against inciting and sparking fires of racism and religious intolerance. Attempts to undermine the unity government are obvious. “I was blind and I like my blindness”, the disruptive seem to say.

Unsettling Times. An aged man, once a national leader, has embarked on another round to destroy the PM, the unity government and the nation. Reports on abuse of power and nation’s assets and wealth have surfaced. The opposition’s stance to wreak havoc with lies, half-truths and Tik Tok is unimaginable. Making false police reports amounts to a criminal act. But out there, countless police reports were made against anyone or everyone, on pretence, incitement and perceived wrongs. False accusers remain untouched. If justice is not blind and the rule of law is enforced, the police will have fewer reports and more work to keep the peace. The Scripture does not compromise on false witnessing. Being blind to the truth, to goodness, to the facts of the matter and reality is disconcerting. What blinds us?

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: A farmer was walking down the street, when he came across a large stone in the middle of his path. The farmer complained: "Who could be so careless as to leave such a big stone on the road? Why does someone not remove it?" And he went away complaining. The next day, a milkman came by, grumbled and left. Then one day, a student came across the stone. Worried that someone may fall over it and hurt himself, he decided to push it to the side. Slowly, he managed to move the stone. Then he noticed a piece of paper where the stone was kept. He picked the paper and opened it. Inside was written, “You are the true wealth of this nation.”

Lesson from the student: Don’t complain. Do something about it. The Good Samaritan responded to what he saw. Engage! Intervene! Do something! Change begins with you and I.

Announcements for this Week

1. On April 4, Chrism Mass 2023 will be hosted by the Church of St Francis Xavier, Melaka at 8.00pm.

2. On April 29 & 30, 2023, the auxiliaries from ArchKL will be conducting a vocation camp for single ladies, from the ages 18-50. Contact Clara Paul 0122509527

                  This week’s Question and Query.

The Q asks: The Cross! What is my cross?
1. Bonhoeffer, while reflecting on Lent and Easter said: It is that cross which is already there, ready, from the very beginning. Take it up! But to keep us from believing that we must simply choose any arbitrary cross, or simply pick out our suffering as we will, Jesus emphasises that each of us has his or her own cross, ready, appointed, and appropriately measured by God.

2. Those who have found God in the cross of Jesus Christ know how wonderfully God hides Himself in this world and how He is closest precisely when we believe Him to be most distant.

3. Self-denial is a necessary aspect of a Christian life; that the cross is central to human understanding; and that, without atonement, every one of us would stand forever in the role of Judas.

(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is on the Cross)

God bless you all as you enter Holy Week. It is a journey with the God of Love, who is never far from us, especially in our moments of darkness. Be brave. He walks with us.

Bishop Bernard Paul