Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #199

Nov 22, 2024

Greetings dear friends of MJD
In-out or out-in! Democrats out, Republicans in! Biden out, Trump in! Out atheism, antisemitism and warmongering, in God, Bible and prolife! Attacks against the church, attack inside the church. A Singapore priest was stabbed at Mass.

Rejected incumbents, re-elected leaders. Mistrust is a threat to unity, which erodes shared foundations and clouds collective aspirations, said the Sultan of Perak.

Permanent positions granted to nearly 4,000 healthcare professionals in government hospitals by Public Services Department. More Malaysians crossing borders, more border towns flourishing.

Synod ends, conversion begins; no post-synodal apostolic exhortation, yes to direct implementation of the Synod’s final document, said the Pope. Coming next, the final document will feature the five forms of conversion: spiritual, relational, procedural, institutional, and missionary. This in-out phenomena is a certain and unchanging rhythm of life. Yielding to shifting events means reading the signs, taking the good, and getting ready to build upon what’s already there. Often there’s too much dismantling.

Unhappy Times:
Robin Williams and circus clowns made us laugh. Yet many of them died from deep sadness. These are fast paced, disrupting and challenging times. External events may affect us directly or trigger off reactions within. Some manage, while a good many give up. Our thoughts can heal or kill. Just know how your brain works.

First, there are four Faulty Inputs (Beliefs). They are Conditioning, Old Thoughts, Pent-up Emotions, and Triggers.

Secondly, be aware of the three Defensive Mechanisms: Reptilian Brain (avoids dangers); Mammalian Brain (seeks pleasure not pain); Rational Brain (analyses, plans and programmes)

Thirdly, we contend with two Polarities: the Right Brain (fires up when processing creative and emotional matters) and the Left Brain: lights up when tackling structured things like strategy and organisation)

Finally, our fixation with one Bad Thought causes unhappiness in our brains. Incessant thinking, rumination, and repeating negative thoughts become part of your programme and affect everything you do. It is an unhappiness that the Brain causes.

A Thought For The Week: The Smile
During her internship, a young undergrad was working at her university’s gift shop, at the counter. She saw an elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair.

As she looked closer at this girl, she realised that the girl had no arms or legs, just a head, neck and torso. She was wearing a little white dress with red polka dots.

As the couple wheeled her to the cash register, the student gave the girl a wink. As she was taking the money from the grandparents, the girl gave her the cutest and largest smile That moment the student saw a beautiful girl, the handicap gone. The smile melted her. A new sense of what life is about filled the student. The poor, unhappy college student was transported into the girl’s world of smiles, love and warmth.

The lesson from the cashier:
Handicapped! Differently created! Dependent! Crushed! But it is how we overcome them or live with them, that makes the difference. Overcomers smile, endure and are infectious.

Announcements for the Week:
1. The MJD Counselling Ministry is organising Reclaiming Joy: Healing Childhood Wounds and Restoring Peace, limited to 100 participants, will take place at MAJODI Centre on November 24 from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

2. The Pusat Kasih Caritas, MJD’s Social Mission Hub, opens on December 1.

QnQ? Q asks: What do we do when people are against us?
YOU CHOOSE HOW YOU STITCH YOUR STORY, says James Clear. “If you look for evidence that people are conspiring to hold you back and the world is working against you, then it will take you no time at all to find precisely that. If you expect to encounter helpful people and experience a world that is working with you, then you find plenty of evidence to support that view as well. The raw material for a sweet life or a bitter life is always there. The story you emphasise is the one you notice.” YOUR PERCEPTION DETERMINES YOUR REALITY.

See The Holy Spirit @ Work: Religion can reform a person’s life, but it can never transform him. Only the Holy Spirit can transform. Aiden Wilson Toze

Something To Tickle You: Shine your light at all times; you never know who you are leading out of the dark. --Matshona Dhliwayo

Bishop Bernard Paul