Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #192

Oct 04, 2024

Greetings dear friends of MJD.
Planning and planning. Yet nature has its ways. Landslides in Cameron Highlands. Flooding in Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, the worst affected being Kedah with 8,394 people being housed in 41 flood relief centres. Malaysia grapples with the complexities of becoming an ageing society, numbering 2.5 million, who are left navigating the twilight of their lives in uncertainties, longing for dignity and a place to belong. Medical inflation does not favour the financially burdened. By June 2025, agencies are predicting 51,000 will lose their jobs due to layoffs and downsizing. A Malaysian spent RM400 to feast on a big plate of nasi kandar and finished it on his own. About 430,000 borrowers have yet to repay their PTPTN loans, estimated at RM6 billion. The pandora box of scandals are open. Disasters do happen. But some could be avoided with foresight, early warning systems, vigilant watchers and decisive enforcement.

Caring Times: The disciples failed to grasp the mission of Jesus as a mission of sacrifice and service. They were only interested in sitting on the right or left…in being the greatest. Pride closed their hearts to the words of Jesus. A silence of shame followed when confronted. Pope Francis, during a recent Angelus, has reminded us that true greatness is in service, when life is offered up as a gift for others. True power is not in domination by the strong, but in caring for the weakest… receiving children, the little ones, the poor and the vulnerable in society. Like children, many are powerless. Many suffer or die because of power struggle. The Pope reflects with us: If we know how to see Jesus in the least and the smallest. If we care for our neighbours. If we have been thankful to those who have helped us.

A Thought For The Week:
The Drowning Cat

A wise old man was sitting at the river bank when he saw a cat that had fallen into the water, flailing around, trying to save itself from drowning. He tried again and got scratched. He was about to try the third time, when a watcher nearby shouted: Why try? Haven’t you learnt your lesson? The wise man paid no heed to him, tried again and saved the cat. The old man walked over to the mocker and told him: Son, the cat’s nature is to scratch, but it is in my nature to save. Lesson from the scratched: Don’t let others define who you are. They may scratch you or sting you or hurt you, do not become them. Be who you are — your nature is to save, love and free others from their lot.

Announcements For The Week:

1. On October 6, at the Church of St Henry, Batu Pahat, a Mass will be celebrated to launch the diocese’s PROTEC 5 at 9.00am, with Fr Paul Wong and Fr Patrick Tyoh. After Mass, there will be an opening speech, distribution of PROTEC 5 posters for parishes followed by planting and blessing of trees and a formation “Save the Trees - Every Bit Counts”, ending with lunch. All creation thank you for your commitment and action. All parish representatives and creation justice ministries, see you there!

QnQ? Q ask: Food waste, is it a real concern?
1. The International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, on September 29 reminds us to join in. (https://youtu.be/qynuwRoVx_4)

2. “Food waste has been a longstanding issue in Malaysia. According to a report, we are wasting approximately 16,720 tonnes of food daily, which accounts for 44 per cent of the total waste. All this food waste will end up in the landfill, where it will slowly decompose, releasing harmful substances into the soil and methane into the atmosphere. Notably, methane is a greenhouse gas that is estimated to be 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.” EMIR Research

3. Try these ways to reduce food waste:
a) Have “gap days” between the day you finish your perishables and the day you shop for the next week. This “gap day” will ensure you use up your leftovers and any remaining perishables.
b) A meal plan for the week will cut down on food wastage.
c) Make a grocery list and stick to it. Don’t stock up unnecessarily.
d) Finish your food! Keep to an amount that you can finish.

4. For more info, visit International Day of Awareness on Food Loss & Waste Reduction United Nations.

I See The Holy Spirit @ Work: This is the work of the Holy Spirit: He brings us the new things of God. He comes to us and makes all things new; He changes us. The Spirit changes us! Pope Francis

Something To Tickle You: Life is God’s novel. Let Him write it. Isaac B Singer Bishop Bernard Paul