Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #167

The Yang di Pertuan Agong has said no to destabilising the government and to growing disunity in the country.

Mar 10, 2024

Greetings to you, dear friends of MJD.

The Yang di Pertuan Agong has said no to destabilising the government and to growing disunity in the country. The Ringgit and other currencies i.e. Japan, China and the rest of ASEAN, except for Singapore, are facing currency decline too. Bersih called Malaysia to march for reforms. The PM is under pressure. Population estimates show that Malaysia reached the aged nation status in 2021. Birth rates among the Chinese and first year registrations in Chinese schools have dropped. An ebook Feudalism in Malaysia Today by Murray Hunter, is available free on Ovi eBooks Publications. Understand where we are!

Separation Times: Going into hiding! Avoiding! Holding back! Withdrawing! Isolating oneself! It is a story of separation: separation from each other, separation from God and goodness, separation from the earth and the ecosystem of which we are a part, and separation even from ourselves.

Jesus came to subvert all stories of violence and harm, not to repeat them. He did not avoid them but He sent His followers into the world to be agents of positive change — like salt, light, and yeast. But needing peace and quiet, Jesus sought isolation, withdrawal or separation.

 

That’s the real need of inner life- CONTEMPLATION. A strong peace to face the roaring traffic, the people on the street and the bombardment of headline news on our screens.

Instead of withdrawing from the world, leading a lonely, separatist, isolationist life, become hospitable hermits, more alive in the world and more active for the common good, by learning light and shadow and discovering that it’s not about where we live, or with whom we live but how we live. (Story of Isolation: Richard Rohr)

Thought for the Week:
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger and Tonto were camping in the wilderness. After they got their tent set up, both men fell into a deep, restful sleep after a long day on the trail. Some hours later, Tonto wakes up the Lone Ranger and says, “Kemo Sabe, look towards sky …what you see?

The Lone Ranger replies, “I see millions and millions of stars.”

“What does that tell you?” asked Tonto. The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, “Astronomically-speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Time-wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems like we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.

What does it tell you, Tonto?

Then Tonto exclaims: “You dumber than a buffalo…it means someone has stolen the tent.” The lesson from the sky: See with eyes that see. See the here and now. “We are only as blind as we want to be”. (Maya Angelou)

Announcements for this Week

1. The Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers Initiative at Malacca was attended by 18 pastoral workers, volunteers and associates from eight dioceses. They were housed with foster families, and engaged with the community leaders and the young of the Portuguese Settlement for five days. It was a “listening, learning and being led” experience.

2. Caritas MJD features weekly Lenten reflections on “I Fast! I Pray! I Give Alms!” based on the Sunday readings. It began with Ash Wednesday and will conclude on Easter Sunday.

3. The MJPT or the Malacca Johore Pastoral Team Assembly will take place at Kluang on March 9, 2024. A reminder to all heads of ministries and their exco that pastoral listening, pastoral discernment and pastoral response is to avoid personalistic visions and missions.

This week’s QnQ:

Q asks: How do we listen?
Robina Scott shared in the PRH space something for us to think about: Where are your ears? Where do you listen from? What do you listen to?

Are your ears on the outside or the inside, or both?
Do you tend to prioritise the noise going on outside of you, rather than listening to your inner world?

Are your ears in your head?
Listening for the language of thoughts and ideas, what is logical, familiar, structured, etc.?

Are your ears in your sensitivity (feeling area)?
So, you listen primarily for feelings, what makes you feel good/not good, safe/not safe, etc.?

Are your ears in your body?
Listening to its messages of what resonates physically or psychologically for you, and naturally gives you energy, or well-being — or not?

Are your ears in your inner being?
Listening for truth, resonance, potential, deep connections, including the transcendent?

Are your ears in your deep conscience?
Open to another level of wholeness, freedom, inclusivity, expansion, wisdom, peace, unity?

Take some time to observe at different times where your ears are, and then note down what you notice and feel (https://bit.ly/3OZOu7b)


If you want help to explore this further, ask a PRH professional!*
www.annieprhmalaysia.org

Entering the Fourth Week in Lent. Do not stop doing good. God bless you. J

ust to tickle you: God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Bishop Bernard Paul